Charles Spurgeon Commentary Philippians 4:6

"In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." — Philippians 4:6 (ASV)

Be careful for nothing;

Be anxiously careful for nothing; sing, with Faber, –

"I have no cares, O blessed Lord,
For all my cares are yours."

Be careful—

That is, be anxious—

For nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

See how the apostle urges us to throw anxiety to the winds; let us try to do so. You cannot turn one hair white or black, however much you fret. You cannot add a cubit to your stature, however anxious you may be.

It will be for your own advantage, and it will be for God's glory, for you to shake off the anxieties that otherwise might overshadow your spirit. Be anxious about nothing, but prayerful about everything, and be thankful about everything as well.

Is that not a beautiful trait in Paul's character? He is a prisoner at Rome, and likely soon to die; yet he mingles thanksgiving with his supplication, and asks others to do the same. We always have something for which to thank God; therefore, let us also obey the apostolic instruction.

But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Ah! this is the way to find the cure for all your anxieties; take all your trouble to God with a prayer and with a song. Do not go without either the thanksgiving or the prayer; but bear your burden at once to God, and ask him to bear it for you.