“Prayer That Defeats Anxiety”

Peace Within Series Lesson 2

Sermon Notes

July 9, 2023

---

I. Understanding Our Anxious Nation

A. The USA gets the

medal in the “Most Anxious Nation” competition.

B. What factors contribute to the epidemic of anxiety in our culture?

1. A lack of social

   Reveal Answer
   .

2. The speed at which we get

   Reveal Answer
   news.

3. Here in America, we are an

   Reveal Answer
   people.

4. Reveal Answer
   media has a profound effect on our mental health and happiness.

C. Living with “peace within” is not just an option; instead, it is an

for followers of Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-9)

D. Reflection/Discussion Question: From your perspective, which of the above four factors has the greatest impact on anxiety levels in our culture and why? With regard to you and your family, which factor has contributed the most to your levels of anxiety? How might social media have a negative impact on our mental health and anxiety levels?

II. Some “Truths” About Living With “Peace Within”

A. Living with “Peace Within” is a

! In our culture, you will not drift into a less anxious life. We have to actively pursue it!

B. Much of our anxiety is

, but it can be unlearned!

C. Rather than worrying about anything, we should pray about

! (Philippians 4:6-7)

D. Jesus modeled the practice of

better than anyone. (Luke 5:16)

E. Reflection/Discussion Question: In what ways is living with “peace within” a practice that must be pursued? How is anxiety something that is learned? How can anxious thoughts and behaviors be unlearned? What is one thing that you need to change about your prayer life at this time?

III . How Prayer Can Defeat Anxiety…

A. Cast your anxiety on

. (I Peter 5:7)

1. If you don’t “chunk” your worries, your worries will

   Reveal Answer
   you! (Mark 4:18-19)

2. Too often, we release our worries, but then we

   Reveal Answer
   them.

3. Reflection/Discussion Question: In what ways have you seen or experienced the “worries of life” choke out or compromise spiritual health and vitality? Talk about a time when you really did “cast your anxiety” on God. What did you learn from that?
   

B. Request what you really

! (Mark 10:51)

1. Wonderful things happen when we get

   Reveal Answer
   in our prayers.

2. Reflection/Discussion Question: What are some possible reasons why we often aren’t specific in our prayers and requests to God? Think about a time when you were very specific in your requests to God. In what ways did getting specific with God benefit you spiritually?
   

C. Trust that you

to God! (I Peter 5:7)

1. Both Creation and the

   Reveal Answer
   proclaim God’s personal care and concern for you! (Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 8:32)

2. Reflection/Discussion Question: How might truly believing in and embracing God’s personal care and concern for you make a difference in your battle with worry and anxiety?
   

D. Rest in the

of God’s peace!

1. This peace is not tied to getting everything we prayed for and neither is it connected to having all of our “why” questions answered. Yet, this peace is undeniable! It can only be described in one way: It comes from God!
2. Reflection/Discussion Question: Think back through the various challenges and difficulties in your life and the life of your family. Can you recall times when you experienced a profound measure of the “peace of God” even in the midst of trouble? What stands out to you about those situations and seasons in your life?