“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, when it comes to clothing and eats, the birds of the air have nothing on us. Through the gospel, we’re clothed with your perfect righteousness and we feast on an endless supply of your grace. Thank you.
Nevertheless, our fears flare up and worries weigh us down. So, we run to you today, confident of your welcome and needful of your peace. Please help us with situations we’d love to control but can’t. It’s not about adding an hour to our lives. But we’d love to minimize pain, change situations, and determine outcomes.
We remain weary and wary of the caustic spirit filling our culture. The impeachment trial of America’s president has highlighted the growing cavern between political ideologies in the USA—and neighbors and family members.
How long before wolves, bears, and lambs; and the grand diversity of your two-legged image-bearers, frolic kindly together in the New Earth? As Prince of Peace, we long for your return, Jesus, and the forever-world of shalom, healing, and kindness you will bring.
And then there’s the coronavirus, that has already taken many lives, and is fueling fear as it spreads. Grant scientists and health care workers supernatural wisdom and imminent success in containing and defeating this virus.
On this February Monday, we put our trust in you, Jesus—not in horses, ourselves, or strategies. Give us patience, fuel our hope, and increase our peace. So very Amen we pray, in your loving and strong name.