Be in AWE of God

Prayer

Father, I thank You that when I bring my worries to You, I don’t have to carry them alone. Even if my circumstances don’t change right away, You give me something greater—Your peace. Guard my heart and mind with that peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me to trust You fully, to rest in Your presence, and to remain steady in the midst of life’s storms. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Ask for His help.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Greek word used here for "anxious" points to being consumed by worry—an unhealthy, controlling kind of anxiety. Instead of letting worry dominate, Paul directs believers to prayer as the response. He mentions three forms of prayer: Prayer – general communion with God, turning your heart toward Him, Supplication – bringing specific needs and petitions before God, and Thanksgiving – remembering God’s past faithfulness and acknowledging His goodness even as we make requests. Gratitude shifts our perspective from fear to trust. So, the antidote to anxiety is not denial but deliberately turning every worry into prayer with gratitude.

When we bring our worries to God, He doesn’t always immediately change our circumstances—but He gives something deeper: peace. This peace is the peace of God—a divine calm and assurance that comes from trusting Him. It is beyond human explanation. Others might not understand how you can remain calm in the midst of trials, but God gives supernatural steadiness.

JAMES 4:2 …You do not have because you do not ask.

Many times, we lack peace, provision, wisdom, or breakthrough simply because we never asked God. Worry often takes the place of prayer—our minds are full of anxious thoughts instead of lifting those thoughts to God.

MATTHEW 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Asking is the first step of prayer. It shows humility and dependence on God, acknowledging that we cannot provide for ourselves apart from Him.God invites us into a life of persistent prayer and trust. He promises to hear and respond, not because of our worthiness, but because of His goodness as a Father who loves to give what is best. God delights to give good gifts to His children. This doesn’t mean He grants every request exactly as we want, but that He responds according to His perfect wisdom and love.

JOHN 16:24 …have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

The disciples had not yet prayed “in Jesus’ name” because access to the Father through Christ would only be secured after His death and resurrection. To pray in Jesus’ name means more than just adding the words at the end of a prayer. It means: On His authority (we come to God because of what Jesus did, not our own merit), According to His will (asking what aligns with His character and mission), and Through His relationship (as adopted children who share in His sonship).

The ultimate purpose of answered prayer is not selfish gain, but deep joy in God. Joy is “full” when believers experience fellowship with God, see Him working in their lives, and grow in confidence that He truly hears and cares. This joy is not fleeting happiness—it is the satisfaction of knowing God is near and active in your life.

Enemies of Contentment

1. Greed (Love of Money). Greed makes us always want more, never satisfied with what God provides.

2. Envy/Comparison. Comparing ourselves with others robs us of gratitude and peace.

3. Pride & Self-Sufficiency. Pride says “I deserve more,” or “I can’t be happy unless I’m ahead.”

4. Fear & Anxiety. Worry doubts God’s care and makes us restless for security outside of Him.

5. Materialism & Worldliness. The world constantly tells us we need more, better, newer—feeding discontent.

6. Ingratitude. When we stop being thankful, our hearts quickly shift to complaint and dissatisfaction.

Real profit in life is not found in wealth or possessions, but in godliness with contentment—living a life of devotion to God while being satisfied with what He provides. Material wealth is fleeting—we enter life empty-handed, and we leave the same way. Clinging to possessions is futile. The desire for more can never be satisfied, but contentment allows us to rest in God’s provision. It keeps us from envy, worry, and striving after things that ultimately cannot last. While material wealth fades, the combination of godliness (a life aligned with God’s will) and contentment (peace in His provision) results in true spiritual wealth, both in this life and eternity.

1 TIMOTHY 6:6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

PHILIPPIANS 4:12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Contentment is learned, not automatic. This shows that contentment isn’t something we naturally have—it’s developed through walking with Christ in different seasons of life. Both lack and abundance can test us: poverty tempts us to despair, while prosperity tempts us to pride or self-reliance.

Contentment is not tied to circumstances. Peace and joy do not depend on whether you have plenty or little. You can be filled or hungry, rich or poor, and still remain steady. This shows true contentment is independent of external situations. This contentment doesn’t come from possessions or comfort, but from the sufficiency of Christ. He is free from the anxiety of not having enough, and free from the arrogance or false security of having much. His heart is anchored in God, not in circumstances.

In Christ, we are freed from the anxiety of not having enough and from the arrogance or false security of having much. Our hearts are anchored in God, not in circumstances.

2. Work hard towards contentment by learning to be content.

PROVERBS 3:9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled…

Giving is not just a financial act but an act of honor. To honor the LORD means to recognize His worth and authority over everything we own. God asks for the firstfruits—the first and best portion of what we receive—not the leftovers. This shows trust that He is the true source of provision.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

The harvest depends on how much seed is sown is an agricultural metaphor. In giving, the principle is the same: a stingy heart produces little fruit, but generous giving leads to abundant spiritual fruit and blessing. This isn’t a “prosperity gospel” formula of giving to get rich; it’s a reminder that generosity produces eternal results—both in the giver’s heart and in the lives touched. Giving must not be done “grudgingly” (out of reluctance) or “under compulsion” (because of pressure). Instead, it should flow from the heart, willingly and joyfully. True generosity flows from gratitude and love, not obligation. Generosity will never lead to lack, because God is able to supply all that is needed. God provides for our needs so we can keep being generous. The purpose of God’s provision is not self-indulgence but “every good deed”—so we can continually bless others.

PHILIPPIANS 4:14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

When we give to God in faith, our offering becomes more than a financial act—it becomes an act of worship. Faith-filled giving acknowledges that everything we have is from Him, and it demonstrates our trust that He will continue to provide. In giving, we express gratitude for His blessings, devotion to His purposes, and dependence on His care. Our generosity, then, is not merely a transaction—it rises as a fragrant offering before the Lord, pleasing to Him and bringing Him glory.

3. Exercise faith-giving, practice to give by faith.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being my generous provider. Teach me to give with joy, not from reluctance but from a grateful heart. Help me sow seeds of love, kindness, and faith, trusting that You will bring the harvest. Keep me content in Your care, knowing You supply all I need. Amen.