Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Matthew 6:31-32 (NASB)
For many Christians, prayer is always about meeting their physical needs. They draw up a list of requests that they will present before the altar of God for an immediate response. But, without neglecting our needs, God does not see prayer that way. In His word He gives us an example of what we must present to Him in prayer. They are not our physical needs and desires. You will tell me, what should we ask for?
What God asks us to bring into prayer are our cares and worries; what affects our emotions, even our relationship with Him. The context of Philippians 4:6 refers more to the anxiety caused by the difficulties we face every day. Not that God is not interested in our physical needs, but in His relationship with us, He is much more interested in our anxieties and our spiritual needs than in our physical needs of which He is already aware.
Note that 1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to cast all our cares on God. Which means we are called to bring all our worries to God in our prayers, presenting specific requests. God knows all your urgent needs better than you. He will provide for them in due time. What matters to Him are the worries that can prevent you from living in peace and enjoying His grace. This is why He wants you to open your heart to Him in prayer, like two close friends would.
May the grace and the peace of God be with you all.
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