Have you been in a situation recently or in the past that you weren't able to sleep because of anxiety?

I remember, during my undergraduate years, there was not a day that I didn't feel anxious. The number of times I wanted to look in the mirror; number of times I refused to go with my friends in the college and in the church because I felt insecure about not having enough money.

During my college days, I always thought - is there a remedy to my anxieties, my worries, and insecurities. Can someone take it away?

Thoughts such as; what would my friends think about me. What about the girls in the group; wouldn't it make me look miserable.

Have you been in a situation when you weren't able to enjoy anything because?

• You were so worried about how you were looking that you were all the time consumed with yourself and weren't to enjoy the time with disciples or your friends.
• You were so worried about scoring a certain percentage or grade or comparing yourself with others that you completely missed the joy of completing your graduation.

There is a remedy in the bible to all our anxieties: Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He wrote this scripture because he understood the meaning of anxiety.

As a disciple, my anxieties and worries have compelled me to pray so many times. So often I prayed because I was anxious about something. The day I was asked to preach for the first time, share a communion message on the stage, the day I was going on my first date - every anxious moment led me to pray more.

Pray through everything. Is there anything bothering you this morning, pray. Don't worry about having a quiet time in the same format every day. When you are anxious, just come straight to the point before God. Be honest; ask him to calm you down.

What happens when you pray about everything to God? It becomes His priority; your prayer becomes God's agenda for the day.

Prayer can act like an antidote with soothing effect, as if something happened during prayer that brought peace to your mind. The word peace used in the bible is derived from Hebrew word Shalom.

Shalom means peace; but not just any peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well-being and harmony. Make your worries and anxieties as God's agenda and pray for grace and peace.

Challenge

a) Make a prayer list of all your anxieties or worries and pray through the list. Do the same thing but this time pray for someone else. Ask them, is there anything bothering you? Can I pray for you? Have them share their worries and you pray through it.

b) Search for at least 7 verses in the bible where Paul greets disciples with grace and peace or prays for it. Ex.: Philippians 1: 2

Philippians 4:6-7
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Pray for grace and peace for your family, friends and yourself.