We have all heard the tough guys in movies say, “shoot first, ask questions later”, but how do you respond in the spirit when real challenges and difficulties come your way? Is prayer the first thing you turn to or do you only pray as a last resort?  There have been so many times that I have made the mistake of trying to solve the problem in my own strength, without including the Lord. Like I am some great detective, I gather all the facts, do all the research, and get all worked up and totally stressed out.  Then, I finally turn to prayer out of desperation. The Lord has a better way.

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

” 6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle on you. It’s wonderful when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Prayer should be our first response to all of the concerns in our life, both big and small. If we care, so does our Heavenly Father. Instead of thinking about the problem over and over again in your head, lift that prayer request up to the Lord, over and over again. Before you try to take matters into your own hands (so to speak), the Lord wants to give you His peace, which transcends all knowledge.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (New King James Version)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Lord Jesus, help us to truly humble ourselves before you, realizing that we desperately need you in every part of our lives. Teach us to give you all of our cares and concerns each and every day through prayer and petition with thanksgiving.