The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:5-6 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Keep on Praying
These days I have three insulin shots every day.
Imagine how foolish I would be if I stopped the injections because my blood sugar levels were under control. The very thing that gives me good health needs to continue, obviously.
Imagine how foolish we would be if we stopped putting gasoline in the lawn mower, on the basis that the mowing was done for the day. The grass continues to grow, so the mower continues to need grass.
Imagine how foolish you would be if you stopped talking with your best friend, because the relationship was so very solid, enriching, and challenging. The continuing relationship requires a continuing nurture through conversation.
Yet we pray less AFTER our fear is gone. We pray less AFTER the troubles are past. We pray less AFTER our immediate need has been met by the Messiah.
The blessings of prayer, the benefits of prayer, the resulting relationship with God that comes from prayer go on and on and on and on.
Paul reminds us that the Lord is at hand. See how close your hand is? If you are here, so is your hand. The Lord, the God of the Universe, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is right there. And right here.
Keep praying after the fear. Keep praying after the peace. Keep praying after the sorrow. Keep praying after the joy. Keep praying after the trials and troubles. Keep praying after the solutions.
Keep praying, Paul writes, in everything.
Fear not, then keep praying.