No Such Thing As A “Trivial Prayer”

– Ponderings:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6).

Have you ever wondered, before praying, if your concern is too small to bring before God? Maybe it was a lost set of keys, a last-minute parking spot, or anxiety about a simple conversation. You may have felt silly or selfish to pray for such a “trivial” thing.

But Scripture is clear. In every situation, present your requests to God. That means God invites us to bring everything to him; not just our emergencies, crises, or spiritual matters, but the daily details, the tiny stresses, the fleeting thoughts. If it matters to us, it matters to God. It matters not because of how big or small the thing is, but because of how deeply God loves us.

During World War II, a meeting took place between Army General George S. Patton and a Chaplain named Fr. James Hugh O’Neill during the Battle of the Bulge. The Allied Army was really getting pounded by the Nazis. The Allies had planes ready to assist the troops, but the weather was too bad to fly. Patton ordered Fr. O’Neill to write a prayer, asking God for good weather so the Allied planes could protect the ground troops. Fr. O’Neil wasn’t sure how such a prayer would be received by God, given that he would be basically praying for something that would cause the deaths of many. Despite his reservations, he wrote a prayer asking God for good weather for battle … so that God’s justice might be restored.

A prayer for good weather seems like one of those prayers too trivial for God. It’s also a prayer with “issues.” If I pray for good weather so I can ride my motorcycle or enjoy a picnic, what about the farmer praying for rain for the health of his crops?

Sometimes I catch myself hesitating before I pray. Not because I don’t believe God hears me, but because what I want to say seems… small. A minor worry. A random thought. Something I can probably manage or figure out on my own. Have you ever felt that? That subtle voice that says, “Surely this isn’t important enough to bother God with.”

But Paul tells us to bring every situation to God. Not just the big ones or holy-sounding ones—but all of them. If it stirs our minds, nudges our hearts, or makes us pause even for a moment, it’s worth bringing into the light of prayer.

There’s no such thing as a “trivial prayer” when it’s spoken in trust.

So go ahead—pray about the small things. They’re not too small for God. They’re just the right size for grace. So, if you find yourself pondering something, pray about it!

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I hold back my prayers because I think they’re too small to matter. Remind me that you care deeply about every part of my life—the great, the ordinary, and the small. Help me bring everything to you. I believe you care, and I thank you for listening, always. Amen.