Saturday, May 17, 2014

A Prayer for Casting Our Anxieties on our Father

A wise pastor friend, Pastor Frank Emrich,  shared this prayer and I wanted to share it with you as well as anxiety is real and we need to continue to cast our anxieties upon the Lord.

A Prayer for Casting Our Anxieties on Our Father
From: Scotty Smith

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Dear heavenly Father, I slept well last night, but I awoke restless and antsy. I know you tell us not to be anxious about anything (Phil. 4:6), but, honestly, I am feeling a bit anxious.

Sunrise has yet to happen, yet I’m already looking forward to moonrise. Thank you for freeing us, your beloved children, from pretending otherwise. At least I’m not anxious about surprising, embarrassing, or disappointing you. The gospel has taken care of that old bondage and slavery. I know that you love us with an everlasting, unwavering love—no matter what is going on inside of us.

What’s my restlessness about? There’s really nothing enormous looming on the horizon—no major crisis staring me down8, no boulder I’m assigned to push up a hill, like Sisyphus. It’s just one of those Fridays where I find myself looking at seventeen little backpacks of needs, issues, and hurting hearts lined up at my front door, waiting to be picked up.

So what will I do with my restless, fitful, anxious feelings? Father, I would surely despair if I didn’t really believe you care for me. That would be the one unbearable burden. But please help me know what anxiety casting actually looks like today, and over the next several busy days.

Of these things I am certain: you’re not calling me to be the fourth member of the Trinity; I’m not the whole body of Christ; you do promise sufficient grace; you will give wisdom to those who ask; and your strength is made perfect in weakness—in my weakness.

Father, show me which of the seventeen backpacks I’m to pick up first; which ones don’t really have my name on them at all; and which ones will just have to wait, as you give me grace not to give into my people-pleasing idol.

As you have promised, please send your transcendent peace to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7). Help me to live today at the pace of grace. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name. -Scotty Smith

1 comment:

  1. Excellent prayer and spot on; I'm a shepherd, or rather, was a shepherd. I just gave 22 sheep and 4 alpacas to my shearer; it's time to downsize my flock. 1 Peter 5:7 is one of my favorites and I constantly give it up to God, especially in these days of imminent change, God willing and will provide.

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