Why Does Paul Put Anxiety and Prayer Together in Philippians 4:6?

      Life is full of anxiety.  There are a lot of books on how to deal with it.  But in chapter 27 of the Life-Study of Philippians Witness Lee shows that the scriptural remedy is actually found in Philippians 4:6-7:

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses every, man’s understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.                       Philippians 4:6-7

       
                                         

 It seems like anxiety and prayer are on two opposite poles; so what he says on page 231 really helped me:

The peace of God is actually God as peace (v. 9), infused into us through our fellowship with Him by prayer.  This peace is the counterpoise of troubles and the antidote to anxiety (John 16:33).  Bad news or difficult situations may cause us to worry or to be anxious.  We find the antidote to this anxiety when we pray….Then spontaneously, even unconsciously, the peace of God is transfused into our inner being….This transfused peace becomes the counterpoise of trouble and becomes the antidote to anxiety (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Philippians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1980, Print).  

 We know that when we pray, peace that we didn’t formerly have suddenly fills our heart and it changes everything.  It may not, as he says, change the actual situation, but somehow we are at peace in it.  In this passage he says the Greek word for guard means mount guard over. This gives me the mental picture of God’s peace standing guard like a soldier over both our hearts and our thoughts in order keep us calm.  It's like God's peace has got us covered. 

Blog Update 5/6/14:   Here's a beautiful song from the CD  The Comfort Abounds called In Nothing Be Anxious.

Blog Update 5/22/14:  Check out the  new free book put out by Bibles for America called A Life of Forbearance But Without Anxiety. 

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Philippians:

What is the Bountiful Supply of the Spirit in Philippians 1:19?
What Does It Mean to Magnify Christ in Philippians 1:20-23?
How Does Religion, Philosophy & Culture Relate to Philippians 3:5-6?
Have You Ever Wondered What Gaining Christ is in Philippians 3:8?
Why Does Paul Put Anxiety and Prayer Together in Philippians 4:6?
What's Paul's Secret in Philippians 4:12?
What Does It Mean to Live Christ in Philippians 1:19-21?
From the Life-Study of Philippians:  What's the Theme of the Bible?
What is the Sacrifice of Faith in Philippians 2:17?

How to Enjoy the Bountiful Supply of the Spirit in Philippians 1:19