Thursday January 6, 2022

Today is Thursday, January 6 and this week of Epiphany we are exploring what the Bible says about joy.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, in this time of stillness, I seek your abiding presence. Come Holy Spirit, show me your ways, teach me the secret of living a joy-filled life. I listen for the message you have for me today in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I join the ancient people and praise God with the words of Psalm 27.

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 27:1-3

Pause and Pray

Today is Epiphany, a day commemorating the manifestation of the divinity of Jesus Christ in three biblical accounts – the visit of the three magi to the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River and his first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Epiphany is a climax of the joy of the holiday season, completing the twelve days of the Christmas celebration. God promises Christians a life of joy, yet there are a multitude of things that try to steal our joy. The number one joy stealer has a name – a five letter word. This joy stealer hangs around my home, waiting for the smallest opportunity to creep into my heart, looking for an opening to enter my mind and rob me of joy. This joy stealer’s name is w-o-r-r-y WORRY. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul continues to teach us how to maintain joy in life.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:1,4-7

It is human nature for people to worry. Let’s make a new year’s resolution to eliminate worry from our life. Everyone experiences anxiety, stress and worry of some kind nearly all the time. I pause to reflect on my current state of mind. I ask myself, what am I worried about? If I were to make a “worry list”, what would my list include? What are the concerns that keep me up at night or run through my mind during the day? I name my worries before God. One by one. I ask myself which worries do I have control over and which worries do I have no control over. What on my worthy list is worthy of today’s emotional energy and concern?

Ask: What am I worried about? What makes me anxious or causes me concern?

Pause and pray

Holy Lord God, I rejoice in your presence and give thanks that you are near. I recognize there are things in my life that cause me worry and concern, yet you tell me not to worry about anything. Help me remember to always bring my concerns to you in prayer and let my requests be made known. I ask for your peace to guard my heart and mind. I read the words from Philippians again and seek your message for me today.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:1,4-7

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and pray

I consider the image, word or phrase that stands out to me in this scripture and ponder what God might be trying to tell me about my worries and concerns. I reflect on how the emotional energy I am spending on my worries prevents me from having the joy and peace God wants me to experience. I recall the frequency of prayers and requests I have made to God. Have I brought my “worry list” to God’s attention? Have I turned my “worry list” into a “prayer list”? Why or why not? I can trust God to hear my requests and supply my needs. I notice Paul says that I am to bring my requests to God with thanksgiving. I can be confident that God is already at work on a solution.

Pause and pray

Lord, God, I have been holding onto many worries. I lay them down before you today. I cast down my cares and relinquish my concerns for I know you are bigger than all of them put together. I invite you into my deepest fears knowing that you are near and I am not alone. I make my requests known to you. Thank you for the opportunity to pray and the promise of peace. Amen.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

As I leave this time of prayer, I go with joy leaving behind my worries, burdens and fears. Show me ways I can bring peace and joy into the life of others.

Amen