Paul gave the Philippians this crucial advice: “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers.”​—Philippians 4:6, 7.

6, 7. (a) What is one way to decrease stress? (b) How can we cultivate a close bond with Jehovah?

⁶ Anxiety or concern caused by problems and heavy responsibility can sometimes affect our health as well as our spirit. However, a medical expert, in the book Don’t Panic, comments: “If people are able to talk their problems out with somebody they respect . . . , the level of stress is often very greatly decreased.” If that is so regarding an exchange with another human, how much greater the help will be from speaking to God. For whom could we have greater respect than Jehovah?

⁷ That is why a close personal relationship with him is so vital for Christians today. Mature servants of Jehovah know this well, so they are careful to avoid the sort of association with worldly people or the sort of pastimes that could weaken that relationship. (1 Corinthians 15:33) They also appreciate how important it is to address Jehovah in prayer, not just once or twice a day, but frequently. Young or new Christians especially need to cultivate this close bond with Jehovah by regular study and meditation on his Word and by Christian association and service. We are urged: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.”​—James 4:8.

11, 12. How have some Christians felt that Jehovah helped them in response to their prayers?

¹¹ Most people, though, are inclined to worry about the future, especially when things are going wrong. But Christians can and should turn in faith to Jehovah. Consider the case of Eleanor. Her husband was very ill, and for a year he was unable to work. She had two small children and an aged father to care for, so she could not hold a full-time job besides. They asked Jehovah for help. One morning, shortly after this, they found an envelope under the door. It contained a large sum of money​—enough to keep them going until the husband was able to work again. They felt deeply grateful for this timely help. There is no Biblical basis for expecting that a similar thing will happen to each Christian in need, but we can be sure that Jehovah will hear our cries and that he has the ability to assist us in various ways.

¹² A Christian widow in southern Africa had to seek work to provide for her two young children. But she strongly desired to work only half a day in order to spend time with them. After she found a job, she was forced to resign from it when the manager decided that he needed a full-time secretary. Out of work again, this sister prayed earnestly to Jehovah for help. Three weeks later, her former manager asked her to come back on a half-day basis. How happy she was! She felt that Jehovah had answered her prayers.

Supplicate Jehovah

13. (a) What is meant by “supplication”? (b) What Scriptural examples of supplication do we have?

¹³ Please note that after advising, “Do not be anxious over anything,” Paul adds, “but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Why mention “supplication”? The word means “earnest entreaty,” or ‘beseeching prayer.’ It involves imploring God very earnestly, as in time of great stress or peril. When a prisoner, Paul asked fellow Christians to make supplication for him so that he could fearlessly preach “the good news . . . as an ambassador in chains.” (Ephesians 6:18-20) The Roman army officer Cornelius also “made supplication to God continually.” How thrilled he must have been when an angel said: “Your prayers and gifts of mercy have ascended as a remembrance before God”! And how privileged he was to be among the first Gentiles anointed with holy spirit!​—Acts 10:1-4, 24, 44-48.