in everything by prayer.....

Do you pray about everything?  I mean e-v-e-r-y thing.  We have been instructed to do so in Philippians 4:6.  We read, "Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". 

My experience has been that I pray when trouble comes knocking on my door, like when a friend is hurting, or my child is sick, or there is conflict in a relationship.  It's during these times that I call out to God for help.

I pray at mealtime, at bedtime, and in the morning at the start of the day.  I pray at church or when I am with other believers.

I pray when I receive a prayer request or when someone asks for prayer.

If I were to take a poll of my peers, they would probably say that their prayer life is similar to mine, involving a few minutes of prayer, here and there, throughout the day. 

But, when I look at Paul's words in Philippians 4:6, I get the feeling that prayer is more than what I have made it.  Prayer should proceed, cover, and follow every part of my day.  Would you like to hear it said another way?  Thanks to BibleGateway.com we can read it in no less than 29 English translations.

• Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.  (New Living Translation)  
• Do not worry.  Learn to pray about everything.  Give thanks to God as you ask him for what you need.  (New Life Version)
• Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  (Amplified Bible)
• Don't be anxious about anything, rather bring up all your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.  (Common English Bible)

What then, do we pray about?  Everything!  Your lost keys, what to eat for breakfast, the project you are working on, the lost person who lives next door, your mom & dad's failing health, which college to attend, how much of your income to tithe, you name it - that's what we should be praying about - "everything". 

Isn't it wonderful that God cares about our "everything".  He wants us to tell him about it, and when we talk to God about the things that concern us, we are growing closer to  him in our personal relationship with him.  Think how much time you spend talking with your family; your children, your spouse, your siblings, your parents.  These are the people you are closest to and it stands to reason, if you spend time talking to God, you will grow closer to him. 

Hannah called from school, looking for her homework; thought she may have left it at the house, - in everything by prayer.  Melanie is traveling down to Louisiana to visit with her kids this weekend, - in everything by prayer.  Daddy had a PET scan on Wednesday; we are still waiting on the results, - in everything by prayer.  Andy has been unemployed for several months, - in everything by prayer.  Do you pray about everything?  You can.