When we gathered last week, we found Jesus settling the worries of his disciples in wildflowers. Common, everyday needs are much more than our concerns, he said; they are our heavenly Father’s pleasure to give us. The Lord will meet them faithfully.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5 NIV
Today we journey on with Paul through the Asia Minor countryside into Macedonia, and worries have tagged along. Have no fear! Here in Philippi, Paul teaches that the practice of worry can lead us to the practice of prayer, a perfect turnout for today, the National Day of Prayer.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Philippians 4:6 The Message
Praying for our Nation
O Gardeners, on this mighty day, let us look together to God’s guidance, transforming the troubles of our nation into requests for their resolution and reconciliation.
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 The Message
Our nation is nothing more than the community of each of our families. O Lord, make our nation beautiful by strengthening each of our families…give us your wisdom, dear God, to get along.
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
James 3:17-18 The Message
May God’s Word take hold in our minds and hearts, its beauty and truth settling deep within us. May the wildflowers of the fields and every fruit and flower in our gardens prompt us to pray.
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
Photo Credits:
©2015 Shelley S. Cramm
Red snapdragons celebrate the United States flag
Jasmine’s sweet fragrance fills the garden, a soft-spoken symbol of the incense accompanying our prayers in heaven (Revelation 8:3)
Strawberries gathered on a spring morning, blessings for a family breakfast (Deuteronomy 8:10)
Thank you for the reminders of not only that today is the National Day of Prayer but of the command to pray without ceasing, throughout the day, for any and all concerns, giving thanks for all the blessings that God sends our way. Worries dissipate when we pray.