Present Your Requests to God

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Philippians 4:6 NKJV

In a story published by People Magazine yesterday, it was reported that one fan in the U.K. got an extra special surprise while out for a run — a personal concert from Ed Sheeran. In Instagram footage shared on Tuesday, Sept. 17, the singer, 33, can be seen floating down a canal on a boat while filming a video when he notices a lone runner jogging alongside the vessel on land."Hi!" Sheeran says in the video before waving at the passerby and asking "any requests?" As the runner slows down to match the pace of the boat, she can be heard saying, "Can you do 'Tenerife Sea'?" prompting Sheeran to immediately begin belting out the hit song while strumming his acoustic guitar. The runner then whips out her phone to record the special moment. After finishing the song, Sheeran cheerfully waves and says "Have a good rest of your run" as the listener continues on her way.

And, you know, when it comes to requests, the Bible tells us that we are to be “be anxious for nothing” but are to pray about everything, bringing our requests to God with thanksgiving. This command (let me remind you that it’s not an option) means we are to abstain from ALL worry by taking ALL our cares and concerns to Jesus—making our specific requests or desires known with grateful hearts, confident and calm that He can easily prevent or alter a result or course of events to work ALL things for our good. 

So be sure to bring “everything,” every care and every worry, to Jesus my friend. And then relax knowing that “the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding” will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. That’s a promise that’s better than any song!

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who wants to intervene on behalf of those who love You and present their requests in faith. Help us to understand how destructive worry is Lord so that we would allow You to replace our anxious thoughts with a tranquility that can not be described in words but can be felt in the midst of chaos, not merely in the absence of it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!