“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?'” Matt. 6:25-27 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, when it comes to raiment and nourishment, the birds of the air have nothing on us. Through the gospel, we’re clothed with your perfect righteousness, and feast on heavenly bread and living water. Thank you.
Nevertheless, our fears flare up, worry weighs us down, and anxiety sets up camp in our hearts. So, we run to you today, confident of your welcome and needful of your grace. We’re not anxious to add an hour to our lives, but we’d love to change situations, minimize pain, and control outcomes.
For friends and loved ones waking up to troubling diagnoses or the sadness of circumstances, the frayed edges of life or a deep longing for heaven—Jesus, show us how to love them well. We’d love to dispense formulas that work and anesthetics that relieve. But the biggest need in any of our lives isn’t relief, but more of you. Make us conduits of your kindness, presence, and care.
And for ourselves, Jesus, some of us are getting older and feeling it; some of us are feeling the weight of waiting for better outcomes for our kids; some of us, even though we know and love the gospel, still get triggered by guilt, regrets, and shame.
We need you, Jesus. On this May Saturday, we put our trust in you—not in horses, ourselves, or strategies. Grant us grace, give us peace, fuel our hope. Keep us gentle, kind, and expectant. So very Amen we pray, in your loving and strong name.
