A Prayer about Anxiety Casting
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7 NIV)
Gracious Father, I slept well last night but I awoke restless, fitful, and anxious. I know you tell me not to be anxious about anything (Phil. 4:6), but I am. Sunrise has yet to happen, yet I’m already looking forward to moon rise. Thank you for freeing me from the pressure of 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.
What’s going on inside of me? There’s really nothing enormous looming on the horizon, no one major crisis staring me down, no boulder I’m assigned to push up a hill like Sisyphus. It’s just one of those Mondays when 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 as I head into the week.
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 this whole week.
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.
Show me which of the seventeen little backpacks I’m to pick up first. Which ones don’t really have my name on them at all? Which ones will just have to wait, as you give me grace not to dread disappointing people? As you have promised, please send your transcendent peace to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7). I pray in Jesus’ trustworthy and treasured name.
Amen.