*Not Anxious About A Single Thing*
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)
Father,
Thank you for inviting me, even commanding me, to lay my requests at your feet. Thank you for commanding me not to be anxious! For commanding me to unburden myself. For commanding me to be at rest in your presence. What wonderful, peace-‐giving commands! Thank you that your ear is tuned to hear my cries, just as a father is tuned to the cries of his child.
Too often I am sinfully self-‐sufficient, attempting to bear burdens that are much too heavy for me. I try to navigate this life independently, rather than regularly give my burdens to you and constantly confess my dependence upon you. Self-‐sufficiency is pride, and when I’m self-sufficient the end result is always anxiety.
Please forgive me for the many times I have sinned in anxiety. Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens instead of letting you do the heavy lifting. Forgive me for allowing worry to fester and grow in my life. Forgive me for dishonoring you by not trusting you. Forgive me for relying on my own understanding instead of making my requests known to you. I repent of and renounce my self-‐sufficiency. I repent of my idiotic pride. I repent of trying to live independently of you.
God, I need you. Desperately. Always. I simply cannot make it without you. I am the creature and you are the Creator. I feebly bring my requests to you. I trust you to care for me, even when the future seems bleak. I trust you to guide me, even when the way seems dark. I trust you to lead me, even when I cannot see the road ahead. Fill me with your peace that passes understanding. Help me to rest in your omnipotent, omniscient care. Guard my heart from anxiety with your supernatural peace.
Amen.
Happy new month.