A Prayer to Not Worry About Tomorrow
By Meg Bucher
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.” - Matthew 6:34 NLT
We often read this verse in Matthew and wear it like a motivational slogan. We stick it on our water bottles and bumpers, hang it on the walls of our homes and proclaim it in our social media posts. In my Bible, this section of Matthew’s teaching is titled, “Teaching about Money and Possessions.” The passage begins,
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
The root of worry often lies in what we have or do not have. “And why worry about your clothing?” The passage continues, “Look at the lillies of the field and how they grow …” (Matthew 6:28 NLT) We are surrounded by creations that puts the creative hand of God on display every day. Yet we are made in His image. “…He will certainly care for you,” Jesus teaches, “Why do you have so little faith?” (Matthew 6:30 NLT)
Let us pray for peace of mind as we consider Jesus’ words today, and perspective to see the sovereign hand of God at work in our lives.
Father,
We worry so often about so much! The very things we are thankful for, we are also concerned about losing. Help us in our unbelief, Lord! Let your words, reign in our daily thoughts and lives.
Lord, you tell us: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
Father, help us to see Your active hand of providence in our lives. We are created in Your image, and You care more for us than anything else you have created! Yet, we worry if we matter at all …and if we will have what we need to live the days You have numbered. How patient You are with us, Father!
When we are worried about our safety, ease our minds with the promise of Your presence through Christ Jesus by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are never alone, Father, this we know, but oh- how we feel isolated, scared, worried, and alone sometimes. In those moments, sweep in and shield us by helping us to recall Your promise to never leave us or forsake us.
Create in us a discipline to read and study Your Word, God. We pray passages like this one would stick to our bones and become a part of the way we live our lives.
Jesus, You freed us from worry by dying on the cross! May we lift our worries up to You daily, because You care for us …and You have set us free!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Meg Bucher writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as a freelance writer, blogger at Sunny&80, and author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” and “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise.” She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University, but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her passion to write. A member of Faith Church in Sandusky, OH, she serves her church family as a Bible study leader for women and teen girls. Meg is a Cleveland native and lifelong Browns fan, living by the shore of Lake Erie in Northern Ohio with her husband, two daughters and golden doodle.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
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