PRAYER: THE ANTIDOTE TO WORRY
JANUARY 14, 2026
TEXT: “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” — Philippians 4:6
In the reality of today’s world, anxiety has become a daily companion for many. We worry about our children, our finances, unpaid debts, and an uncertain future. With the resumption of school, the burden on parents has increased even more as the cost of education continues to rise. Perhaps you are reading this and asking yourself, How can I possibly be anxious for nothing when there is so much demanding my attention and concern?
Yet the truth remains: worry has never solved a problem. It adds no value to life, brings no solutions, and offers no relief. Instead, it silently drains strength and damages health.
Medical research confirms this reality. A study published in the American Journal on Health revealed that:
📌 50% of hospitalized patients are persistent worriers,
📌 43% of adults suffer physical health effects linked to worry and anxiety, and
📌 75–90% of visits to primary care physicians are stress-related complaints or disorders.
Clearly, worry and anxiety rank among the most destructive plagues of the 21st century. Almost everyone encounters anxiety at one point or another. The critical question, then, is not whether we will face worry—but how we should handle it.
God’s answer is unmistakable. He invites us to bring everything to Him in prayer—prayer being our intimate communion with Him. He calls us to come with specific petitions, openly expressing what troubles our hearts. Though God is all-knowing, He desires that we deliberately lay our concerns before Him.
However, our prayers must go beyond a mere list of worries. God instructs us to blend our requests with thanksgiving—remembering His faithfulness, acknowledging His blessings, and recalling His proven track record in our lives. This posture honors God and strengthens our faith.
When we pray this way, something supernatural happens: the peace of God—a peace that surpasses human understanding—stands guard over our hearts and minds. This is God’s promise to us in His Word (Philippians 4:6).
SEARCHLIGHT: Oh yes! Christ truly cares for me.
PRAYER: Father, I cast my burdens upon You. Sustain me, for You will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)
BIBLE READING: Exodus 21–23 | Acts 24
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
