Always Open
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
I still remember the old Mervynʼs commercials that aired around Christmastime in years past, advertising holiday sales. A lady would be standing outside in the cold dark of night, face pressed to the glass door. Sheʼd be saying, “Open, open, open!” She was excited about what was waiting for her on the other side of the door.
Open doors can mean many things to us. Usually it means a portal that we can walk through to another room or place.
Prayer and praise is just such a portal. Walking through the door of prayer and praise takes us into Godʼs presence. God shows up when we pray to Him or praise Him. Youʼll never see a “Closed” sign on His door. Heʼs always listening to us, always awake.
In the Philippians scripture above, where we are told to pray about everything instead of being anxious, the word supplication is an interesting word. We know what the word “prayer” means, but we may not be too sure about “supplication.” Whereas a prayer may be petitioning, a mere asking, supplication suggests keep on asking, or an intensity of earnestness in extended prayer–not to gain merit by many words, but to fully transfer the burden of oneʼs soul into Godʼs hands.*
One pastorʼs commentary said that this kind of praying—supplication—is “to be sleepless to this end.” Itʼs a reason to stay up at night, to continue in prayer until you have fully transferred the burden of your soul into Godʼs hands.
All too often, we donʼt pray until we are certain the burden has been given up. This doesnʼt mean the prayer is necessarily answered, but that we are not burdened by it any more. We may be sleepless, but it isnʼt because weʼre praying. Itʼs because weʼre worrying.
What does verse 7, above, promise? When we pray until the burden is given fully over into Godʼs hands, the result is that we receive the peace of God that will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Isnʼt that what we most need when we are burdened? The peace of God guarding us.
Instead of anxiety that keeps us awake, we can safely sleep when we have prayed with the fervent supplication that gives up the burden to the Lord.
Lord, teach me to make supplication to You when I am burdened. I know You are always open to my cries and that You want to give me peace. Help me to press in and stay there with You until I have truly given it over to You. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.
Amen
A word in due season! Thank you!