Anxious generation - week 1 : Call First
Anxious generation - week 1 : Call First
When anxiety hits, our instinct is to reach for control—or our phone. But Paul offers a better response: pray first. Prayer isn’t our last resort; it’s our first line of defense. When we speak our worries out loud to God, we shift from panic to peace.
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Week 1 — Call First: Prayer Over Panic
📖 Philippians 4:6
Bottom Line: Don’t let anxiety be your first response — make prayer your first move.CONNECT
What makes you anxious?
Bills piling up, your boss’s tone, your kid’s choices, your phone at 3% battery?We live in an anxious society. Anxiety isn’t an occasional visitor anymore — it’s a constant companion. Studies say 43 percent of Americans feel more nervous than last year. Thirty-two percent of teens have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. We’re living through what psychologist Jonathan Haidt calls “the great rewiring.” Smartphones, social media, and endless connectivity have created a world that never powers down. Notifications keep us in a constant state of alert, and the result isn’t just mental — it’s physical: sleeplessness, fatigue, burnout, and isolation.
So right as we head into one of the busiest seasons of the year, we’re slowing down. Four weeks in Philippians 4 to rediscover peace in a world that never powers down.
And it starts here: when anxiety hits — do you panic, or do you pray?
DISCOVER
Paul writes these words from prison:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6
It’s wild when you think about it. Paul is chained up, forgotten by most, unsure of his future — and yet he says don’t worry. If anyone had a right to panic, it was him. But instead of spiraling, he prays.
Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 6: “Don’t worry about tomorrow… your Father knows what you need.” Worry is prayer turned inside out. When you pray, you talk to God about your problems. When you worry, you talk to yourself about them.
Paul’s invitation is simple but powerful: stop talking to yourself and start talking to God.
The Call
We all have that person we call when life gets hard — a spouse, a best friend, a parent. But Paul is saying, “Call God first.” Before the text, before the meltdown, before the scroll.
UCLA researchers found that speaking your feelings out loud actually reduces anxiety. God wired your brain to experience relief when you bring your emotions into the open. Now add the power of the Holy Spirit to that design — when you pray, you’re not just venting; you’re connecting to the One who can calm storms with a word.
So Paul gives us the formula:
Worship + Thanksgiving + Request = Prayer
Let’s walk through it.
1️⃣ Worship — Shift Your Perspective
When panic hits, start by worshiping. Not because your circumstances are good, but because your God is. Worship moves your focus from your problem to His presence. It’s like a child running to a parent — “I can’t fix this, but I know who can.”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness doesn’t mean inactivity; it means choosing presence over panic.
2️⃣ Thanksgiving — Flip Your Freak-Out
Gratitude changes everything. Anxiety says, “What if?” Gratitude says, “Even if.”
When you stop to thank God — for breath in your lungs, friends who care, grace you don’t deserve — you rewire your brain away from fear toward faith.1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Gratitude doesn’t require perfection; it reveals perspective.
3️⃣ Request — Ask Boldly
Paul says, “Present your requests to God.” That’s permission to be specific. Don’t pray vague, polite prayers — ask like a child who believes their Father is both powerful and good.
Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find.”
Prayer doesn’t always change the situation immediately, but it changes you in it.RESPOND
We are an anxious generation. But the antidote to anxiety isn’t more control — it’s connection.
When the panic starts:
Pause. Take a deep breath.
Pray out loud. Say His name.
Practice gratitude. Name three things you’re thankful for.
Present your requests. Hand the weight to Him.
Philippians 4 isn’t a call to ignore anxiety; it’s a call to interrupt it. You don’t have to let panic be the loudest voice in the room when peace is just a prayer away.
This week, before you text, tweet, or talk it out — pick up the phone and call God first.
Key Verses: Philippians 4:6 | Matthew 6:25-34 | Psalm 46:10 | 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Peace Practice: Worship + Thanksgiving + Request = Prayer
Say it out loud. Live it this week. -
Small Group Curriculum – Anxious Generation
Small Group Curriculum – Anxious Generation: Week 1 Group Curriculum download PDF
Week 1: Call First — Prayer over Panic
Main Scripture: Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Big Idea: Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.1. Connect (Icebreaker)
Option A (Fun): What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever panicked about?
Option B (Personal): Share one thing that often triggers anxiety for you.
Transition: Anxiety is everywhere, but Paul shows us that the answer isn’t panic—it’s prayer.
2. Discover (Scripture & Discussion)
Read Philippians 4:6 (NLT):
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."Discussion Questions
Why do you think Paul can say “don’t worry about anything”?
What’s the difference between panic and prayer in real life?
How do worship, thanksgiving, and requests shape your prayer life?
Why is it hard to make prayer our first response?
Dig Deeper Scripture: Matthew 6:25–27 (NLT).
How does Jesus’ teaching about worry connect to Paul’s words?
What does trusting God as Provider look like for you this week?
3. Respond (Application & Prayer)
Personal Application
What’s one area of your life where you need to choose prayer over panic?
How can you practice “calling God first” this week instead of spiraling in anxiety?
Group Prayer Prompt
Lead the group through the Worship + Thanksgiving + Request prayer model.
Encourage each person to speak one request out loud and thank God for His care.
Challenge for the Week
Memory Verse: Philippians 4:6 (NLT).
Next Step: Each time you feel anxiety rise this week, stop and pray out loud before you do anything else.
⏱️ Designed for 45–60 minutes:
Connect (10–15 min)
Discover (25–30 min)
Respond (10–15 min)
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CONWAY
AYNOR
SOUTH STRAND