There’re times people pray and make incessant supplications about certain things; maybe about their job, finances, family or health, or something that deeply bothers them, and it seems things aren’t changing. The missing link could be that they’re not presenting their requests and supplications with “thanksgiving.”

 

Read our opening verse again carefully: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.” Now, notice that it didn’t say, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION ALONE, let your requests be made known unto God.” Rather, it says, “…by prayer, and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING…!”

 

This means your prayer and supplication has to be with thanksgiving. When you present your request in that manner, what follows is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

 

This is remarkable! The kind of peace that people wonder at, will guard your heart and mind when you present your requests and supplications to the Lord “with thanksgiving.”

 

Those around you won’t understand why you can be so at peace and in control, in spite of oppositions, challenges and contrary winds that may come your way.

 

Do you have a special request for 2016? Present your requests and supplications to the Lord, with thanksgiving. Don’t beg; don’t complain. Ask, receive, and be full of joy. Blessed be God!