βBe careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Godβ (Phil. 4:6).
God would have us pray aboutΒ everything, whether it is of a spiritual or physical nature. In view of the fact that God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings today, we certainly agree that our prayer life should primarily center on spiritual things, such as praying for lost souls, a fuller understanding of the Scriptures, a knowledge of Godβs will, wisdom, etc. Here again, however, we must keep in mind the importance ofΒ balanceΒ in the things of the Lord. God would also have us make known our physical requests.
Paul prayed about hisΒ physical infirmity, not once, but three times (2 Cor. 12:7-9). Prior to his incarceration in Caesarea, the apostle requested that he might have aΒ prosperous journeyΒ to Rome; that is, free from hardship (Rom. 1:9,10). We are to pray forΒ earthly rulersΒ that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life to further the cause of Christ (1 Tim. 2:1-3). Paul instructs us not to be an ungrateful people, as Israel was in time past; consequently, we are to returnΒ thanksΒ at everyΒ mealΒ for Godβs bountiful blessings (1 Tim. 4:4,5).
We are also to pray about theΒ circumstancesΒ in which we might find ourselves. As we have noted, Paul coveted the prayers of those at Philippi that he would soon beΒ deliveredΒ from his prison cell in Rome. The apostle writes to Philemon along these same lines: βBut withal prepare me also aΒ lodging: for I trust that through yourΒ prayersΒ I shall beΒ given unto youβ (Phile.Β 1:22). source
