Midweek Faith Booster

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.  Philippians 4:6

Martin Luther called anxiety or worry Ungebet – “Un-prayer”. In many letters he wrote to people who sought his counsel for personal problems, including his own dear wife Katherina, he urged them to turn their worries into prayer and then let God take the burden. 

So often, we pray about something we are worried about, but then take the burden right back
onto our own shoulders. This does not work. 

We have a big God. Our God can handle whatever we bring to him in prayer. We can trust him with our deepest fears and our most difficult worries. We can let go of anxiety so that its burden does not kill us.

What happens when we let go of anxiety and give our worries to God? We begin to trust God.

We begin to deal honestly with our limitations (we are not God) and recognize that we are not in control of many things. Then we are free to devote our increasing energy to the things God has called us to do. 

Do not assume that all the burdens of this life come from God. Many of them come from our own worry. And our dear heavenly Father stands ready to take on whatever we bring to him. 

Prayer: Loving Father, you know we have so many things that worry us, that rob us of energy and joy. I lay out before you now, these things that are beyond my control and which I need to give over to you (be specific with God about things you are anxious about). Give me strength to trust you and courage to let go of my worrying. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen