ODJ: Prayers in the Shower

March 2, 2017 

READ: Philippians 4:6-8 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (v.6).

The Ketchum Global Research Network asked 1,000 adults in America (aged 25-54) what they think about most when they’re taking a shower. In order, here are their responses: (1) to-do lists, (2) problems/worries, (3) daydreams and (4) work. The worries and distractions of dayto-day life can keep us from intimate conversations with our heavenly Father. Paul knew this and addressed it among the Philippians.

The apostle commanded these believers in Jesus to stop doing something unproductive. They were anxious about such things as whether they had enough food, whether God was going to lead them in their future, how Paul was handling his imprisonment, whether false teaching would destroy the church and how to navigate daily concerns (Philippians 4:6). Paul encouraged them to replace their anxiety with a commitment to pray to their heavenly Father. These believers were instructed, in every circumstance, to bring all their needs to God with thanksgiving.

In short, Paul wanted them to turn all the things they stressed about into prayer requests. Their trust in and dependence on God, who knew of and could meet their needs, would “guard [their] hearts and minds as [they lived] in Christ Jesus” (v.7). The apostle wrote, “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches” (v.19).

Instead of allowing showering or any other routine event to be a time filled with anxiety, may we turn these moments into makeshift ‘prayer meetings’. There we can bring our concerns about work, family, finances and the future to Him. He’ll give us peace that “exceeds anything we can understand” and supply all of our needs according to His glorious riches (v.7).

—Marvin Williams

365-day plan: Joshua 5:13-6:27

MORE
Read Mark 4:35-41 and consider how Jesus calmed the disciples’ concerns. 
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What do you tend to think about when you’re doing routine activities? What everyday events in your life will you turn into intentional prayer meetings today?