4:6a

Be anxious for nothing: Paul was saying, “Do not worry about anything.” He did not mean the believers should not be concerned about serious problems or important things. But he did not want them to worry habitually as unbelievers did because they did not trust in God to help them.

4:6b

but in everything: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as in everything :

(1) It refers to every situation or problem. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, God’s Word)

(2) It refers to every prayer and petition. (Good News Translation, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1), which is supported by the great majority of commentaries and translations. Whatever problem the believers were having, they should pray to God and not worry.

by prayer: This refers to praying to God in a general sense.

and petition: This refers to a specific kind of prayer: when a person asks God for something.

with thanksgiving: This also is how believers should pray—thanking God. It implies that whenever the believer prays to God, he should thank God. Paul did not say what the Philippians should thank God for, but it could include his goodness and love to them, previous prayers he had answered and many other things.

present your requests to God: This means:

ask God for what you need (Good News Translation)

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