Pray About Everything - Encouragement for Today - August 27, 2020

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

I will never forget the day my mom told my sister, my brother and me that we were going to ask God for new pants for my brother. He had hit one of those growth spurts that young boys often do and needed new pants as part of his school uniform.

My mom was a widow raising three school-age children, and there was very little spare cash. So, after supper one night, she asked us to join her at her favorite chair by the fire for prayer. She explained that God knows everything we need and wants us to bring all our requests to Him.

I was fascinated by this new piece of information. I knew we asked God to bless our family every night. I knew when I messed up, I could ask God to forgive me, but I never imagined God cared about pants. I had so many questions I wanted to ask.

Does God keep spare pants in heaven?
Do angels wear pants?

Her prayer was a very simple one:

Father God, thank You for caring about our family. Thank You for telling us to pray about everything. You know Stephen needs new pants, so we ask You to help us, and we thank You in advance for always taking care of us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Mom went back to her normal evening chores, but I sat by the fire, wondering if we should put the fire out. Would God send them down the chimney or would they be delivered in the mail? This was new territory for me.

A couple of days later, one of mom’s friends from church came over for coffee, and when she left, I noticed a brown paper package on the chair where she’d been sitting. When Mom came back into the den, she opened it, and there, inside, were three brand-new pairs of pants. They were the perfect size for my brother. I was amazed.

“Did you tell her you needed them?” I asked.
“No,” she said, “We told God, don’t you remember?”

The greatest lesson I learned at my mother’s knee was to pray about everything, as our key verse says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). We receive God’s peace about our circumstances not when He answers our prayers in the way we want, but when we simply present our requests to Him, with thanksgiving.

My mother taught me there was nothing too big or too small to talk to God about. That practice of praying together became a lifelong connection with my mom. Her simple faith in the goodness of God and belief in the power of the Word of God is a legacy that lives with me today.

I don’t know what concerns you are facing right now. You may be worried about your children, your finances, your health or your marriage. I want to remind you today that God cares about every single detail of your life. Nothing is too big. Nothing is too small. As you tell Him what you need, thank Him for loving you and receive His peace.

Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about my life. Thank You that I can talk to You about everything. I have lots of concerns so I’m bringing each one to You. Thank You for promising to give me Your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
With Praying Girls Devotional, bestselling author Sheila Walsh offers girls ages 11 to 14 the tools to begin a life of prayer. She helps them learn:

- To talk to God in a simple and honest way.
- How to pray when they don't know what to say.
- That God is listening and that no problem is too big and no prayer too small.
- That prayer is a powerful weapon for every girl.
- And so much more!

If you long to see your daughters, granddaughters, nieces and other girls in your life develop a strong prayer life, this beautiful, two-color devotional makes the perfect gift for every girl.

CONNECT:
Connect with Sheila on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to her podcast, God Is For You, here.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of Praying Girls Devotional by Sheila Walsh. To celebrate this book, Sheila’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, August 31, 2020.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What’s one thing you could do today to help those in your family begin to pray about everything?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

From Scotland, Sheila is first a wife and mom, and in her spare time, she is an author, Bible teacher and television host. She loves to make the Bible practical, sharing how God met her at her lowest point and helped her to rise up again. Texas is her home where she lives with her husband, son and two little, crazy dogs.

© 2020 by Sheila Walsh. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org