7 Prayers That Work

Dear Lord, It's Monday. (But you know that already.) Monday probably doesn't affect your work week one bit, but it has enormous implications for mine. Pressure (I have so much to do). Adrenaline (the fight or flight kind). Discouragement (I'll never get this all done). Despair (I'll never be free of this pressure). Now comes the breathing exercise. Hoo-hoo-hee-hee. Almost like I'm giving birth. That's not what you want for me today. It's not what you've planned. Breathe. I'm going for a walk, and I'm going to give this all back to you, just like I do every Monday. And every Tuesday-Sunday if I choose to live by faith instead of by sight. Oh, God of heaven and earth, Give me your Presence and your peace. I am way too human and way too incapable of performing what you have for me today. I want your will, your way Today and every day. Amen. image by Karen Arnold

Dear Lord, Today has been really stressful. I'm reminded on Peter's advice to the church in 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." I'm looking up the meanings in this verse, and with your help, I want to really "cast my anxiety on you." I'm not being critical, but this sounds way easier than it it. Here's what I found out (which you already know): The idea of "cast," which is epiriptō  in Greek, means  "to throw out, throw on, throw down." In other words, chuck it! Heave it far from you. Lord, I think you're serious about this casting  thing. Then Peter uses 2 different words for "care" in this little verse:  merimna,   melei. The first (a noun) means "anxiety; distraction, cares, anxiety pertaining to earthly things"; the second (a verb) means "to care about, have regard for." So here's my prayer--my deep soul-hungering prayer that is despera...