01/19/2024
Do we worry about what tomorrow brings? Do we fret over whether we will have enough to eat, or the other necessities of life we might require to survive? Well if we look closely at what Jesus taught us to pray for in the Lord’s Prayer, we will see that there is no mention of the physical things we will need for tomorrow; He only teaches us to pray for what we need right now. As a matter of fact Jesus tells us to pray specifically for today’s needs. Do we pray as He has taught us?
“Give us this day our daily bread”
Matthew 6:11 ESV
It is not prudent to pray for what might happen. Haven’t we all experienced times when we have worried and been anxious about a challenging meeting, a big test in school, or some upcoming event that we believe will have a negative ramification for us? Haven’t we found ourselves fretting and praying over something like this for weeks and days ahead of when it will occur? This stresses us, and causes us to lose sleep, not feel like eating, or it might even cause our blood pressure to rise to unhealthy levels. God doesn’t intend for this to happen. If we exercise our trust and faith then the peace of God should rule over you. We should allow God to pride for us, and Jesus to carry our burdens. If we do this then we won’t waste our time in unnecessary and pointless prayers.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:31-33 ESV
I can’t tell you how many times I have faced bad situations and worried to the point of losing weight, but there have also been those times when I have prayed fervently on the eve, or morning of one of those dreaded happenings, and God miraculously lifted it from me, or had already fought a battle I didn’t even know was raging. We should learn to trust in the Lord and know that he will work all things for good. I have walked into what I thought would be a combative situation only to find that the crisis had mysteriously vanished, or that there was something far better in the outcome that God had prepared. God fights our battles for us and although we will occasionally be shown the battlefield, there are many times when we wake up to find that the enemy has been vanquished, or that a table has been set before us when we felt certain we would starve. Can we lean on our faith in such a manner that we find peace ad calm has replaced our anxiousness and fear?
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34 ESV
As we prepare to pray right now I ask you when it was that Jesus prayed over what was about to happen to Him on Calvary. Did he spend weeks and months praying as He did in the Garden of Gethsemane? Did he get up from His prayers doubting and fearful? No, He prayed the evening before His crucifixion and death. Some set the timeline to reflect that he was taken to Caiaphas at approximately 4-6 in the morning, and felt the Roman spear and said “It is done” by 6 that evening. Prior to that He was healing in the temple, preparing for Passover, washing the feet of His Disciples, serving Communion, and sending Judas on his way to betray Him. Are we making the best of our prayer time and moments with our Father as Jesus did?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your provision today. Thank you for removing the burden and the worries that fretting over tomorrow brings me. Help me Lord to trust in you completely, and lean on you without doubting your motives or promises; knowing you will supply my every need today according to your riches in Christ. Teach me Abba to fall back into your waiting arms and to pray, knowing that I am not begging you, but simply asking for your mercy and grace to fill me. As your child I don’t need to beg because you love me, and desire only good for me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who hears my prayers, and knows my desires before I can even voice them. You read the book of my life before it has been opened, and know its contents from beginning to end. You are merciful Father, and make your peace and joy flow like a river from my prayers and faithfulness. Today is your day. This is the day that you have made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Praised be your name Father for all you are doing for me right now, and will do throughout this day. Hear my prayers, hear me asking for forgiveness, provision, and to be with you and Jesus the Christ forevermore.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Rich Forbes