As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God

This week, we’ll be meditating on the end of Matthew 6, verses 25-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

We make space to consider fasting, giving, and feasting for this week

Fasting

what need or desire will you abstain from and trust God with as you seek Him?

Giving

Consider the ways you have offered or received generosity and its effect on you. How and what might God lead you to give?

Feasting

And what will you celebrate? Who will you invite to share in your celebration? What joy is waiting to fill your life as you remember God’s presence and faithfulness?

Let’s read this week’s passage again and listen to what the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you today.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It’s easy to see why Jesus’ followers had a hard time understanding some of the things he taught them. This passage names the exact things I think about every day, even just within the first hour of waking! I wake up and get a glass of water, think about what I will have for breakfast, choose an outfit for the day, and look at the plans and demands of my calendar.

Of course we need food, water, and clothes. And, of course, there are things we must or even want to do, like going to work, caring for children, taking a vacation, washing the dishes, or spending time with a friend.

God knows our hearts, though. He created them after all. He knows our all too common propensity to worry, how we can take even the most simple of needs or desires and forget His care for us in them.

There is absolutely nothing that our Father doesn’t care about. There is not a single flower, or bird, or moment that he is not deeply invested in.

And there is absolutely nothing that has been or will ever be changed because you worried about it. In fact, it only ever moves us further away from the freedom God so generously offers.

I can fret away this life, worrying about my needs, distrusting God’s ability and willingness to care for me. Or I can allow myself to take Him at His word, to trust that the Creator of the universe, the One who Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “goes before me, is always with me, and will never leave me”, knows exactly what I need, and–as Phillipians 4:19 reminds–”is faithful to supply all of my needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus, my Savior.”

Scottish evangelist Oswald Chambers put it simply:

God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget. Why should I worry?

What things am I tempted to worry about, to believe that God may not care about or might not provide for me?

I confess these to you now

What can I loose from my tight grip? Where can I live with freedom and abundance instead of fear and scarcity?

How can I seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, delighting myself in his grace and celebrating with those around me the freedom and fullness of joy found in his presence?

Father, I thank you for your provision in my life. Give me eyes to see your faithfulness in both the spectacular and the mundane moments. Would you guide me as I seek Your kingdom above all else. I give you my cares, knowing that You care for me and will meet my every need. Help me to live in the present, trusting that You are already at work in my future. I choose to place my faith in Your goodness and rest in the peace that comes from knowing You are in control. Amen