A Promise Of Prayer

When we began this week, I shared with you how our Lord used the water posts, on the paths of the walkers of that Charity walk, to change me. I said that it was made really big on my mind and heart, and that it had not just left an indelible mark on me, but it had totally and truly changed my thinking about prayer and me. For every needy, hungry, struggling, beside themselves person – believer and non-believer – all who have come to the point of seeking relief from worry, stop at each Prayer Post.

They are there for you, where, if like the walker you are truly thirsty for refreshing, you will detour for however long or short a time, to have a drink. These posts are not set up to have you stop and abandon the walk. No! By all means no! Rather, each is there for you to COME, and receive the specific promises about worry, which you have been given in prayer. You are reminded of them and are made to ponder them in full light of their truth. Also, you are encouraged and challenged to rise in your heart, soul and mind, to hear, heed and have every single promise available to every single believing person. You will certainly want to take full hold of what is already yours, through Christ Jesus.

Here is the text, which will be at each prayer post during the rest of the week, as we all walk its path.

Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6 – 7 GNT

This well-known and frequently quoted text has been given a post, not because it is one that is popular, but because it is one of the well-known prayer texts with promises, which many of us never receive. In addition, it deals specifically with worry or anxiety and the foolproof way to be the victor of worry.

As a young child, growing up, televisions were not commonplace, but we all had radios with one radio station to which we all listened or simply heard. What I recall is that there was a radio announcer whose programme came on Monday to Friday, early on mornings, before school time. The announcer would always begin his programme, with a bright and cheery, “Good morning” then he would repeat these words.

Worry is like a rocking chair,

It keeps you going but gets you nowhere.

The radio announcer never failed to tell his listening audience, every single morning he came into our homes, that the day was fresh and new and to paint it with worry, was the best way, the most perfect way to keep us going, but not getting us anywhere.

In this day and age, many people of all walks of life have anxiety problems. It’s not uncommon to hear of people having anxiety attacks, some more severe than others. There are also many programmes, classes and treatments offered to those of us who suffer with anxiety disorders. Many people, believers and non-believers, alike, find it necessary to take medications, prescribed and no-prescribed, to relax them and keep them at a functioning level. Worry or anxiety is real and it is a malady that has always been around and will always be around.

Worry has not escaped you nor me, for things which cause us to worry and become anxious about, will come. However, we are listening to what St. Paul offers us, all of us, who are plagued with that poisonous, deadly and deceiving enemy, called worry.