Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
It’s 2020. What could possibly exist to make us anxious? COVID and shutdowns? Riots and financial uncertainty? Election results? Abbreviated experiences of simple pleasures like sports events, theatre, concerts, and life-giving church gatherings? Maybe even jitters over Thanksgiving dinner with family?
Yep. There’s been plenty of worries this year to fill our dance cards. But no more than the Philippian church faced over 2,000 years ago.
The Roman government was pressing down everywhere on this new sect of Christianity. The Apostle Paul has again landed in prison. It’s from there he writes to the Philippians, exhorting them to choose joy in the midst of suffering, to think on the lovely and good rather than the ugly and unjust. He encourages them to focus more on what Jesus has done for them than what the government is trying to do to them.
But how? How can they crawl out from under the rubble of persecution? How do they rise above the jeers and sneers of the established elites? A vision of the eternal kingdom lies before them, but how do they tear their eyes away from the real and present danger? How?
Paul tells them to pray. And to pray with a spirit of thanksgiving. His own life serves as an example. Although he writes from a place of exceptional suffering, he wraps himself up in a blanket of gratitude. Rather than complaining about his suffering he chooses to thank them for their support! “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).
So it’s Thanksgiving 2020. And friends, we have an extraordinary opportunity to wrap ourselves in that same blanket of gratitude that warmed Paul’s soul. No matter how this year has affected you, stay thankful. And keep bringing your requests to God. Lay those petitions before him with a spirit of thanksgiving. Dance right over your fears with songs of praise as you watch gratitude water your faith.
It’s the only way to celebrate Thanksgiving in a 2020 world.
Literally that verse was on my mind today. Such a beautiful article; I love everything you said about it. Thank you!!
Thank you Anna! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
Thank you so much! You as well!