We've heard of the power of prayer. Prayer is more than a wishing well! Tap into the power of God through prayer. Tap into the Peace of God through prayer. Peace is the product of prayer (verse 7)
verse 4: Rejoice! Always! We can be free from anxiety ("rejoice" is commanded 70 times in the Bible). The key is to rejoice in the Lord, not circumstances. There's a difference between happiness (circumstances) and joy (transcends circumstances) The world will never be happy, but we should ask people if they want joy. You will never get the circumstances good for you all the time (happiness), but you can have more than that -- joy, regardless of circumstances. Prayer is how we maintain contact and focus on Him. This focus must be cultivated.
verse 5: Let your "forebearing spirit" (gentleness) be known. Be submissive to God, not demanding your own plan. Come to listen to Him as the main object of prayer. Why don't we have what we "want"? James says 1) we don't ask, and 2) we ask for the wrong motives. We are focused on ourselves. There won't be peace unless we acquiese, not coming as a child demanding, but as a child willing to learn. So how do we do this?
verse 6: 1) Be anxious for nothing. 2) Pray about everything.
verse 7: Peace will guard your heart and mind. It doesn't say you will receive everything you ask for, but simply that there will be peace.
Action steps:
Activate prayer life. Pray about everything, worry about nothing.
Believe in the power of God to do everything.
Commit your will to the Lord and submit, not demand
Do your part! Be involved in answering your prayer.
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