“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Does God really want me to pray about everything?

Yes. According to today’s verses, He does.

Does He want to hear about my annoying hangnail? Apparently.

Does He want me to talk to Him about the difficult email I just got? Yes. Preferably before I reply.

Does He want to listen to me describe a new diagnosis I received? He’s all ears.

Does He really want me to whine to Him about how awful it smelled when a bird pooped on my head, and I couldn’t get home to wash it right away, and I was supposed go to a meeting? Surprisingly yes.

Anything and everything are the words used here.

Anything that I’m tempted to worry about, He wants me to bring to Him instead.

With gratitude.

Wait. What? I’m supposed to thank God for the things I’m worried about? No, not exactly. My gratitude is for who He is, for His willingness to listen to my problems, big and small, and for the peace He promises to provide when I trust Him. And I guess, if those problems bring me closer to God and increase my faith in Him, I could also be thankful for the problems themselves. A little.

Dear God,

I am so fortunate to know the God who wants to hear about all my problems so He can dispatch my worries and replace them with peace. Remind me to turn to you instead when I’m tempted to fret. Thank you for being available anytime, even in the middle of the night when the problems loom largest. Thank you for your inexplicable gift of peace.