“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?'” Matt. 6:25-27 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, the birds of the air have nothing on us. By your life, death, and resurrection, we’re clothed with your perfect righteousness, and freely feast on bread from heaven and living water. We praise, bless, and adore you.
Nevertheless, our fears flare up and our worries weigh us down. So we run to you today, confident of your welcome and needful of your grace. Please help us with situations we’d love to control, but can’t. We’re not anxious to add an hour to our lives, but we’d love to minimize pain, create beauty, and usher in more of the peace of the Kingdom… NOW.
Jesus, we’re weary of the mean-spiritedness, volatile climate, and caustic words filling the airways and news media, social media and political discourse. How long before wolves, bears, and lambs, Democrats, Republicans, and others frolic kindly together in the new earth?
Jesus, if we could give our kids and grandkids anything, it would be to know you—to find safe haven in your heart, peace by your grace, and delight in your love. Keep them restless until they rest in you.
For friends and family members facing vocational crises, health issues, and relationship challenges, Jesus, lift the weight of our worries as you give us the assurance of your engagement. Show us how to love well, without meddling and manipulating. We’d love to dispense formulas that work and anesthetics that relieve. But the biggest need, in any of our lives, isn’t for relief, but for more of you.
Jesus, we will trust you—not horses, chariots, or strategies. Grant us grace, fuel our hope, and give us peace. So very Amen we pray, in your loving and strong name.