I know from experience how easy it is to ask God to take care of things, whatever that may be for you, and then just as quickly begin to worry all over again. It’s not pleasant to live our lives in fear as opposed to going through each day with peace in our hearts the way the Lord intends when we place our daily lives in His very capable hands.
When I pray, I do my best to leave my burdens and prayer requests at the foot of the cross where they belong. But as I set my basket of troubles down and turn around to walk away, it’s easy to spin about to see if Jesus has seen them yet and if He’s already at work. Yes, I have trust issues, and I covet your prayers!
This morning when I awoke, I sat on the edge of my bed and offered God a small handbag of prayers for myself, family, and friends, as opposed to my usual stuffed-full cornucopia. I momentarily wondered if God was maybe still asleep and that my petitions went unheard because I still felt burdened. Have you ever felt this way after praying?
I suspect so.
Fear is a tactic of the devil, and he uses it to derail us from our faith, especially when we pray and don’t see immediate results, or in my case and perhaps yours, results after days, weeks, months, or even years of pleading with God to make things happen. It might even be hard to fully believe that God will take care of our burdens in due time and according to His schedule and not ours. That’s a tough one when we crave answers to prayers ASAP and our fears run rampant, even when God tells us in the Bible to trust and believe without fear.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 6, 7 NIV)
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalms 55:22 NIV)
And this verse from Isaiah 41:10 NIV is one of my favourites when I am fearful.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
As I prayed this morning, I opened a daily prayer app on my phone, and the Bible verse at the bottom was this. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36 NIV)
In context, Jesus was talking to a group of people who came from the house of a synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Jesus told them that the child is not dead but asleep. They laughed at him. Jesus told the girl, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” She stood up and began to walk around!
Jesus asked them to not be afraid and just believe. I believe He is also saying to you and me, “Do not fear. I’ve got this. I’ve got your worries, fears, and troubles. Just believe in Me.”
Paul Smyth