Read
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)  
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

 Reflect 
Sometimes I think we forget that the God who created and sustains the world, listens to our prayers. How incredible is it that the sovereign God hears our prayers and cares deeply about our lives? 

We live in a world that consumes us. Our thoughts, our activities, our needs, all of it draws us away from the true reality that God is still in control. Prayer reorients us to our real truth: We are weak, but he is strong, and we are fully dependant on him. So, we bring our praise, petitions, gratitude, and concerns to him. We are reminded that God is also in control of our lives and he fully reigns over everything! 

While living in Tanzania we received a letter to tell us Naomi’s aunt had passed away from cancer. That news was two weeks late sine the letter took that long to arrive in our mailbox. There was nothing we could do, but we could pour out our sorrow and concern for the family knowing that our all-powerful God had no difficulty with the miles that lay between us and home.   

Prayer is necessary because it is the most important part of our thankfulness to God. Even in times of trouble, knowing that God cares and wants to carry our burdens of sorrow and pain gives us a reason to give thanks.  So, give thanks always in prayer. God is listening and he cares. 

 Pray
Almighty God and our heavenly Father, thank you for listening to us and loving us. Dear God inspire me to pray often. Amen.