Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
careful.
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Matthew 6:25-33 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? …
Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
in.
Genesis 32:7-12 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; …
1 Samuel 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
thanksgiving.
1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
2 Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
known.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
but in everything
This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of the instruction. Believers are encouraged to bring every aspect of their lives to God, acknowledging His lordship over all circumstances. This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which calls for continual prayer, and reflects the holistic approach to faith that encompasses all areas of life, not just spiritual concerns.
by prayer and petition
Prayer is a fundamental practice in the Christian faith, serving as a means of communication with God. Petition, or supplication, involves making specific requests known to God. The distinction highlights both general communion with God and the act of earnestly seeking His intervention in particular matters. This practice is rooted in the Jewish tradition of prayer, as seen in the Psalms, where David often brings his needs before God.
with thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is an essential component of prayer, reflecting an attitude of gratitude and trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances. Thanksgiving shifts the focus from the problem to God's provision and past faithfulness, fostering a spirit of contentment and peace.
present your requests to God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship believers have with God, who invites them to bring their needs and desires before Him. It reflects the biblical theme of God's accessibility and willingness to hear His people's prayers, as seen in Hebrews 4:16, which encourages believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence. This invitation to present requests is rooted in the understanding of God as a loving Father who cares for His children.
- Paul issues a clear command, not a polite suggestion. Worry is forbidden because it denies God’s care and sovereignty.
- Jesus echoes this: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life—what you will eat or drink…” (Matthew 6:25).
- Peter invites us to unload fear: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
- By choosing faith over fret, we honor Christ’s word: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.” (John 14:1).
- “Nothing” to worry about is balanced by “everything” to bring to God. No category is too small or too big.
- “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) turns the whole day into conversation with Him.
- “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) shows trust is comprehensive.
- David practiced this: “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22).
- Prayer is the ongoing relationship; petition is the specific request. Both are welcome.
- “Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition.” (Ephesians 6:18).
- Paul urged “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving” for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1), underscoring variety and persistence.
- Gratitude shifts the focus from the problem to the Provider.
- “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15).
- “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4) reminds us that thanks is the door into His presence.
- “Present” pictures a child confidently bringing needs to a loving Father.
- “Let us… approach the throne of grace with confidence.” (Hebrews 4:16).
- Jesus assures, “Ask and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7).
- We pray boldly yet submissively: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14).
Philippians 4:6 calls believers to trade anxiety for communion. Instead of stewing over problems, bring every concern to the Father through specific, grateful prayer. Confidence grows as you remember His past faithfulness, thank Him in the present, and trust Him for the future. The command is simple: worry about nothing, pray about everything, thank God through it all.
(6) Be careful for nothing.--An exact repetition of our Lord's command, "Take no thought" (in Matthew 6:25; Matthew 6:34). The prohibition is of that painful anxiety which is inevitable in all who feel themselves alone in mere self-dependence amidst the difficulties and dangers of life. It is possible to sink below this anxiety in mere levity and thoughtlessness; it is possible to rise above it by "casting our care on Him who careth for us," and knowing that we are simply "fellow-workers with Him" (1Peter 5:7; 2Corinthians 6:1). Hence the Apostle passes on at once to speak of the trustfulness of prayer.Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.--By "prayer" is meant worship generally, so called (as in common parlance now) because in this state of imperfection prayer must be its leading element, as praise will be in the perfection of the future. (See Acts 2:42, where "the prayers" are among the essential marks of church membership.) To this general word is subjoined the distinction of the two great elements of worship, "supplication with thanksgiving." The very expression, however, shows that, though distinct, they are inseparable. (See Ephesians 6:18, and Note there.) Both words "prayer" and "supplication" have the article in the original, and may probably refer to the recognised worship of the Church. . . .
Verse 6. - Be careful for nothing; rather, as R.V., in nothing be anxious. Μέριμνα is anxious, distracting care. St. Paul does not wish his converts to be careless, but to be free from that over-anxiety about worldly things which might distract their thoughts from the service of God, and hinder their growth in holiness. Comp. 1 Peter 5:7, where the apostle bids us cast all our care (μέριμνα) upon God. The thought of the Lord's nearness should lead us both to be forbearing in our relations to others, and also to keep ourselves free, as far as may be, from worldly anxieties. "He careth for us." But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. "Curare et orare," says Bengel, "plus inter se pugnant quam aqua et ignis." In everything; in each emergency, little or great, as it arises, pray; cultivate the habit of referring all things, great or small, to God in prayer. The two words rendered "prayer" and "supplication" προσευχή and δέησις) occur together also in Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:l and Ephesians 5:5. The first has been defined by Chrysostom and others as prayer to obtain a good; the second, prayer to avoid an evil Better, perhaps, as most modern commentators, προσευχή is the general word, covering the idea of prayer in its widest meaning; while δέησις is a special act of supplication for some particular object of need (see Trench, 'Synonyms of the New Testament,' sect. 51.). With thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the necessary accompaniment of prayer; it ought never to be absent from our devotions; it springs out of that holy joy which St. Paul so constantly sets before us in this Epistle as the bounden duty of Christians. St. Paul himself is an example of constant thanksgiving. All his Epistles, except those to the Galatians, 1 Timothy, and Titus, open with a thanksgiving. In the dungeon at Philippi he and Silas "prayed and sang praises unto God" (Acts 16:25). Our requests, the things for which we ask, are to be made known unto God; πρὸς τὸν Θεόν before God, in the presence of God, by prayer, the general converse of the soul with God; and by supplication, direct petitions for the supply of our necessities. Indeed, he knows our necessities before we ask; but we are encouraged to make them known before him, as Hezekiah took the letter of Sennacherib and spread it before the Lord.