Pray and Release

Sunday December 21, 2014

Author and speaker Mary Lou Quinlan claims that her mother "inhaled a worry and exhaled a prayer." She says this because her mother had a habit of writing down prayer requests and keeping them in a special place - her "God Box". There was one rule related to these petitions. According to Mary, "If [anyone] ever worried about the request, Mum would say, 'If you think you can handle it better than God, it´s coming out [of the box].' " This helped Mary and her family to let go of their concerns.

God wants us to release our fears and troubles into His hands (Matthew 11:28). If you´re like me, this takes a bit of effort. Here´s what usually happens. Firstly, I follow Paul´s advice and discuss my concerns with God. He said, "Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him" (Philippians 4:6). After praying, I take a breath and open my eyes, and the worry immediately returns. I have two choices - continue to worry or begin to pray.

If I worry again, I´m telling God that I´m not sure He´s strong enough or willing to take care of the issue. I´m rewriting the Scripture that says "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (1 Peter 5:7). If I worry, my version says : "Cling to your problems, because God is unconcerned with your life."

The truth is, God loves His children. His design for our lives doesn´t include worry as a way to save problems (Matthew 6:27). The discipline of prayer, however, can help us to see His power and remember His past provision for us. Committing our worries to Jesus can help us find peace when we´re stressed. This peace "exceeds anything we can understand ... [it will] guard [our] hearts and minds as [we] live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7) - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Read
Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again : Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Luke 12:29-32
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."

Question to Ponder
How might constant worry affect a believer´s testimony before unbelievers?
Which comes more naturally to you - pray and worry or pray and release?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue