A Prayer about Not Worrying

Good Father,

Once, after a hurricane, 

a friend told me how she handled her worry 

that her seventy-year-old house 

would be destroyed: 

“I stayed inside and thought happy thoughts.” 

There’s nothing wrong with thinking happy thoughts, 

but you have given us a much better antidote to the worry and fear 

that plague us during seasons of crisis: 

Prayer. 

Rejoicing in you, 

because that turns our thoughts 

toward your delight in us and our hope in that delight (Philippians 4:4).

Presenting our requests to you, 

because that acknowledges our utter helplessness, 

your supreme power,

and your good, Fatherly care for us (Philippians 4:6).

Thanking you, because that reminds us 

of how you have saved us in the past 

and points us toward 

how you will rescue us in the future (Philippians 4:6).

Lord, today, when worry creeps in, 

turn our hearts toward you in prayer, 

that we may know the peace 

that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

In Jesus’ peace-bringing name.

Amen.

Read Philippians 4:4-9.