Friday November 20, 2020

Begin this new day by praying this prayer out loud. As you are able, consider kneeling as a physical expression of your commitment to Jesus as Lord of your life and the one you desire to lead you this day. Alternatively, you might consider placing a hand over your heart as you pray this prayer.

God of rescue and restoration, thank You for Your great and beautiful mission in the world. Here I am Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and send me.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27

Leading up to these verses, Jesus speaks to our desire for security and our misplaced trust in wealth. Then he uses the word “Therefore”. “Since all I have said is true, don’t worry. Don’t worry about the things money can provide. I will provide all this and more.” (My paraphrase)

We can trust God to love us and provide for us. Yes, we still need to do our part, but even the birds have to seek and recognize the things God is providing.
Worry doesn’t provide. Worry doesn’t add to our lives. God does! “Therefore,” as Jesus would say, let’s begin today trusting God’s provision and look for what God is providing.

Have I started my day asking God to help me recognize His provisions today?

Will you rest in the assurance that those worries and needs will be met?

When you are finished with your time of reflection, close out this time with this prayer.

Father, help me to live this day to the full,
being true to You in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others,
being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost,
proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.