Sunday, November 15, 2026
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).
If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?
Two of the most critical verses touching prayer are: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication [praying for specific needs] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7). By God’s design, prayer alleviates worry or anxiety by making us concentrate on that which is spiritual, invisible, and eternal—as opposed to fretting about the visible, temporary, “here and now” (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Our “hearts” (emotions) and “minds” (intellects) are thus “kept” (guarded) through Christ Jesus’ mediatorship (His life in us). Along with the Word of God, prayer is a weapon that protects us from Satan’s attacks: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;…” (Ephesians 6:18, noting verses 10-17). Once we have peace with God by believing the Gospel of Grace (Romans 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4), we can then enjoy the peace of God, knowing the God of peace is truly with us (Philippians 4:9) and strengthening us by His Spirit in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16).
Again, while Paul’s circumstances did not change—that is, he retained his enigmatic “thorn in the flesh” and a variety of other suffering—prayer did reinforce what the Lord taught him about sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11). The Apostle has, as well as we have, been given resources in Christ to endure all situations or occasions (both good times and bad). “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Rather than being detrimental (courtesy of denominationalism!), prayer becomes beneficial….
