The Anxiety of Prayer

REFLECTION QUOTES

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”

~C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London preacher

“We live in a society bloated with data yet starved for wisdom. We’re connected 24/7, yet anxiety, fear, depression and loneliness is at an all-time high. We must course-correct.”

~Dr. Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey, explorer and cultural anthropologist

“Anxiety takes away all the commas and full stops we need to make sense of ourselves.”

~Matt Haig, British novelist and journalist

“I always say I am a realist, and my mom says, ‘No, you just have anxiety.’”

~Jessica Chastain, actress and film producer

“I wake up every morning with the worst anxiety. I don’t know why. I have, like, a problem.”

~Kylie Jenner, reality television personality

“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”

~Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), Danish philosopher and theologian

“So long as man remains free he strives for nothing so incessantly and so painfully as to find someone to worship.”

~Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881), Russian novelist

“Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.”

~Plato (c. 427-348 BC), philosopher and founder of the Academy in Athens

“In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we’re pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker’s praise without anxiety.”

~A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), pastor and author

SERMON PASSAGE

Philippians 4:1-9 (NASB)

Philippians 4

1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Isaiah 26

3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep
in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
4 “Trust in the Lord forever,
For in God the Lord,
we have an everlasting Rock.