What is the meaning of Philippians 4:6?

Answer

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” «Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. », (Philippians 4:6). This verse provides clear guidance and offers genuine hope to the believer in Christ.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, there were various concerns they may have had. Paul wrote to them while he was under house arrest, courtesy of the Roman Empire. The church in Philippi had supported his missionary work, and they might have been worried about his well-being (Philippians 1). Evidently, there was some discord in the church with individuals acting selfishly, and they needed to focus on the example of Christ (Philippians 2). False teachers were also trying to undermine their confidence in Christ (and in Paul’s teachings) by suggesting that some form of obedience to the Law was necessary for salvation (Philippians 3). Lastly, the discord in the church had escalated to the point where Paul specifically addressed two women, urging them to reconcile «I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. », (Philippians 4:2).

Paul then concludes his letter with the exhortation in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” This was a church facing external pressures and internal issues, and they might have questioned if it was even possible to rejoice joyfully.

If discouragement from the addressed problems in the letter (or anything else) was stealing the Philippians’ joy, then Paul provides the solution in Philippians 4:6. ThHere is no need to fret and worry about the way things are. The solution is to give the problems over to the Only One who can actually do something about them. The Philippians are to pray in every situation, bringing their petitions (requests) to God and offering prayers of thanksgiving for what God has already done.

Paul does not promise that God will do every single thing they request. They were not being handed a blank check. But he does promise that, when the Philippians pray about things, God will change the Philippians themselves: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” «And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. », (Philippians 4:7). When they really pray about their problems and choose to be thankful, God will give them peace.

Although written to the Philippian church, the principle of Philippians 4:6 applies to all believers. When we have problems and worries, we often forget to pray about them. Then, when we do pray, we may think that the only help that God can give is to grant the request as we have presented it and change the situation. God may very well do that. He has the power to change any situation, but He will not be limited to that. God does not promise to change every situation to our liking. What He does promise to do is give us peace during any situation. In other words, God may or may not change the circumstance, but He will change our disposition toward it so that it does not cause us inner turmoil.

Practically speaking, Philippians 4:6 gives us a model for the kind of prayer we need to pray when we are anxious or worried. First, we reject worry: do not be anxious about anything. Then, we simply ask God for what we need: in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And we thank Him for all that He has already.dy done: with thanksgiving. Finally, we rest, knowing that He loves us and will work things out for our good and His glory. God’s peace is then ours.

There are a few lines in a song written by Tony Wood and Kevin Stokes that encapsulate the principle of Philippians 4:6 beautifully:

Sometimes He calms the storm

With a whispered “peace be still”

He can settle any sea

But it doesn’t mean He will

Sometimes He holds us close

And lets the wind and waves go wild

Sometimes He calms the storm

And other times He calms His child