Been anxious lately?\u00a0 Had that feeling that something terrible is going to happen; that there is danger out there that you are not seeing?\u00a0 Have you woken up in the early hours of the morning sweating, panting, feeling a weight on your chest.\u00a0 Fear is a real<\/a> experience even when there seems to be no logic to it.\u00a0 For those of us who are anxious, we are usually familiar with the following verse:<\/p>\n Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The verse tells us not to worry about anything, which means we worry about absolutely NOTHING at all!<\/strong>\u00a0 Instead we are to come to God with the things that concern us and exchange it with Him<\/strong>, to receive peace<\/em> for our worry; faith<\/em> for our fear and victory<\/em> for our defeat.<\/p>\n Many of us read this verse and think, that is not helpful at all.\u00a0\u00a0But there is so much more to this verse that just that.\u00a0 (I have added many links below, so take the time to get greater understanding)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.\u00a0<\/span>15\u00a0<\/sup>For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are\u00a0\u2013 yet he did not sin.\u00a0<\/span>16\u00a0<\/sup>Let us then approach God\u2019s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.\u201d (Hebrews 4:14-16)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Petition <\/strong>(other versions say \u201csupplication\u201d): It is an awareness of lack in our lives<\/a>: lack of confidence; wisdom; courage; understanding; strength etc. Prayer is not about telling God what the situation is, He knows, it is about clarifying in our minds what we need. We come with this lack, into the presence of God and strongly plead for this lack<\/strong> <\/span>to be met.<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 It\u2019s what is called \u201cfervent prayer\u201d in the King James version of James 5:16.\u00a0 It speaks of a boldness: a passionate, earnest, heartfelt, sincere prayer.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God\u2019s people in accordance with the will of God.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(Romans 8:26-27)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Thanksgiving:<\/strong> It is not appropriate to come into the presence of the Lord and ask boldly without having a thankful heart<\/a>.\u00a0 Everything we have, everything we are comes from Him.\u00a0 When we make an earnest request with a thankful heart, we already demonstrate a faith that understands where the source of all good things<\/strong> <\/span>is. God responds to a heart of faith.\u00a0 A thankful heart demonstrates a faith<\/strong> <\/span>that understands the heart of our Father and is thankful.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery\u00a0good\u00a0and\u00a0perfect\u00a0gift\u00a0is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.\u201d (James 1:17)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n John 5:14 says that\u00a0\u201cthis is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Known:<\/strong> When something is known, you are making sure that your request was heard<\/a>.\u00a0 It means you can be bold and make it known in heaven what you need.\u00a0 When you and I make it known in heaven, it is not that God doesn\u2019t know what we need<\/a>, it is that we are exercising our faith by expressing our need in heaven through prayer.<\/p>\n We are not to be anxious, instead we are to be bold<\/strong>, fervently asking Him to meet our needs, making sure that there is an equal measure of thanksgiving<\/strong> that goes along with our request.\u00a0 Be Bold, knowing that you have every right as God\u2019s child<\/strong> to come ask your Father.\u00a0 Bold, knowing that you have no doubt that your prayer will be heard<\/strong>. Declaring it: that God will hear your request.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<\/em> \u2013 Phil 4:7<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If you enjoyed this post, also read:<\/p>\n Honest, Quiet, Simple Prayer<\/a><\/p>\n Asking Wrong<\/a><\/p>\n\n
![\"prayerpresence\"](\"https:\/\/hearttreasure.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/prayerpresence-300x269.jpg\")
<\/a>Prayer:<\/strong> This is coming close to God, abiding with Him<\/a>.\u00a0 All prayer takes place in a relationship between us and our Father<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Prayer speaks of an intimate, face-to-face relationship.\u00a0 A conversation where a loving exchange<\/strong><\/span> takes place, our worries, fears, concerns for His peace and a supernatural confidence that our life is secure in Him.\u00a0 Prayer knows WHO you are speaking to.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
![\"Godconfidence\"](\"https:\/\/hearttreasure.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Godconfidence-300x108.jpg\")
<\/a>Requests:<\/strong> This is the same attitude in many ways, as going to your superior in a work situation and asking with respect and honor for assistance in meeting your needs, with the full expectation to receive. The same as a soldier going to his general and asking for assistance in meeting goals, with the full expectation of having his needs met.\u00a0 It is praying out of the position that you hold to a higher authority.\u00a0 We are children of God, coming to our Father, Lord of heaven and earth.\u00a0 \u00a0It is praying authoritatively,<\/strong><\/span> recognising our position and knowing what we need and coming in faith to the One who we know will provide.\u00a0 It is asking with the full expectation of receiving<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
\n
![\"Psalm120v1\"](\"https:\/\/hearttreasure.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Psalm120v1.jpg\")
<\/a>Thank you Father, that I can boldly enter Your presence as your child and talk to you in the intimate conversation of prayer.\u00a0 Thank You that everything I have comes from Your hand and that I can come confidently to you and present my needs before You.\u00a0 Thank you that I know you hear my requests, that my heart hears my request and my faith believes to receive.<\/em><\/p>\n\n