Present Your Requests to God

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Are you anxious about losing weight? I admit that I have been. It's easy to see the holidays around the corner and start to worry about losing more now to make up for the times we'll be eating more or think we won't make it through this next season. But, God tells us not to be anxious about anything. In EVERYTHING - which includes weight loss! - by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, we are supposed to present our requests to God. So, we need to be praying... and we need to be thanking.

The other night as I was tucking my son into bed, he was thanking Jesus for everything, from triangles to trains to people. At first I was blessed, and then I was hoping to rush him along since it was time for lights out. But, God doesn't tire of our prayers, especially when we're thanking Him for His blessings. I think being thankful keeps us focused on the things that are noble, pure, just, etc.

What else I find special about these verses is that God promises to guard our hearts and minds with His peace. What an amazing thought! If it's true that the war will be won in the battle ground of our minds, we've found a key in guarding that area of our lives. God's peace, which is a result of bringing our petitions to Him. So, let's do that now!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for helping us lose weight. Thank You for each and every pound that has been shed. Lord God, help us not be anxious about this journey or the weight we need to lose or the time of year. Jesus, with thanksgiving, we come to you with the following petition: make each one of us healthy and thin. May we be transformed with new physical bodies for Your glory, prepared to do the good work that You've called us to do. We also ask that You guard our hearts and minds with Your peace. And, we thank You for it! In Jesus' name, AMEN!