Episode 402: P.R.A.Y For Yourself

Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 We don’t think twice when someone asks us to pray for them. Yet when it comes to praying for ourselves, we don’t always take that same stance. 

Instead, we buy this lie that praying for ourselves is selfish. We worry God will see us as needy or ungrateful. We treat Him like He’s one of us when nothing could be farther from the truth.

It is not selfish to pray for yourself. Praying for yourself is part of being fully surrendered and obedient to God. How can we know God if we don’t talk with Him about what matters to us?

God is a loving Father who wants to hear from His children. Philippians 4:6 that I just read is so clear! God says don’t worry about anything instead talk to me about everything! No thought is too small or insignificant to bring to Him. 

Praise

• How does it feel to know that you can talk to God about anything?
• How have you seen God meet needs big and small? Thank God for how He’s demonstrated His care and concern for all aspects of your life. 

Repentance

• Have any areas of your life been off-limits to God?
• Is there anything weighing you down that you don’t feel comfortable bringing to God? What is holding you back from praying about it? 
• Are there any lies you’ve believed about what prayer should be that are stopping you from experience what prayer can be? 

Ask

• What’s one practical, tangible way you need God’s help today? 
• Are there burdens you’re carrying relationally, financially, or emotionally? What do you need in each of those areas?

Yield

• One of the gifts that can come from complete honesty with God is complete intimacy with God. Take a moment to pray through Psalm 139. Embrace the stillness as you wait for God to respond. 

Transcript

Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 We don’t think twice when someone asks us to pray for them. Yet when it comes to praying for ourselves, we don’t always take that same stance. 

Instead, we buy this lie that praying for ourselves is selfish. We worry God will see us as needy or ungrateful. We treat Him like He’s one of us when nothing could be farther from the truth.

It is not selfish to pray for yourself. Praying for yourself is part of being fully surrendered and obedient to God. How can we know God if we don’t talk with Him about what matters to us?

God is a loving Father who wants to hear from His children. Philippians 4:6 that I just read is so clear! God says don’t worry about anything instead talk to me about everything! No thought is too small or insignificant to bring to Him. 

Praise

• How does it feel to know that you can talk to God about anything?
• How have you seen God meet needs big and small? Thank God for how He’s demonstrated His care and concern for all aspects of your life. 

Repentance

• Have any areas of your life been off-limits to God?
• Is there anything weighing you down that you don’t feel comfortable bringing to God? What is holding you back from praying about it? 
• Are there any lies you’ve believed about what prayer should be that are stopping you from experience what prayer can be? 

Ask

• What’s one practical, tangible way you need God’s help today? 
• Are there burdens you’re carrying relationally, financially, or emotionally? What do you need in each of those areas?

Yield

• One of the gifts that can come from complete honesty with God is complete intimacy with God. Take a moment to pray through Psalm 139. Embrace the stillness as you wait for God to respond.