[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during January 2026]
For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Luke 12 v30 [ESVUK]
Are there situations when we think matters are too small or mundane to pray about? Are we hesitant about bothering God with minor problems such as the regular occurrences of everyday life? Even Jesus advised his disciples against being worried about their daily needs.
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Luke 12 v22 [ESVUK]
Do verses like these imply that it is acceptable for us be complacent about God’s provision? Can we assume that our daily needs will be satisfied without making them a priority in our prayers? After all, it is not difficult to find plenty of other things to be anxious about.
In his letter to the church in Philippi, the apostle Paul identified three elements which, in combination, contribute to an antidote to anxiety:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4 v6 [ESVUK]
Prayer
In the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples he included the line:
Give us this day our daily bread
Luke 11 v3 [ESVUK]
This request demonstrates that even our regular necessities are a valid matter for prayer. Certainly, matters might be resolved and events may happen if we do not pray but there is an added richness and peace of mind in knowing that God heard our prayers and that they were in line with his will.
» Do you remember to commit each day’s needs to God in prayer?
Supplication
The word ‘supplication’ implies a more intense form of prayer; a persistent, repeated request, often raised on behalf of someone else.
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
1 John 5 v15 [ESVUK]
We need to have wisdom in the application of this verse; it is not a means to satisfying our selfish ambitions. In the context in which it was written, John was referring to the spiritual wellbeing of those to whom he was writing.
» Is there someone dear to you who needs your prayers?
Thanksgiving
Giving thanks is an essential part of enjoying the blessings that we receive. Jesus spoke about the nine lepers who did not return to thank him.
Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Luke 17 v17-18 [ESVUK]
They did not lose their healing but they did tarnish their reputations. Like a compassionate benefactor, God likes to receive the thanks of those whom he has blessed.
» Have you taken the time to thank him today?
References:
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys