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Worry Your Prayers No More // "Ask boldly, believing, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." - James 1:6-8 MSG

It is here where I believe God is inviting us to pray in such a way that it scares what is scared within us! If you asked me even 5 years ago if I would picture my life how it is today; I would say "no" ...and yet in the beauty of the journey it has unfolded to bring me to exactly where I am at; and it has been one incredible journey. A journey filled with ups and downs! Amazing adventures, joy filled experiences, heart wrenching at times; and yet beautifully laced with unbelievable memories! I am blessed. As I look to the future I recall the little girl that's scared to step forward; but remember who my daddy is and how BIG he is; that he really can do "exceeding and abundantly more than all I could ask or imagine" and so I trust him. I surrender my all; my heart, my calling, my day to day; trusting the path before me. I will simply gaze at pictures like this painting and then stroll on by knowing there are great things ahead! 

There was something beautiful about this picture when I took it. The paint and colors so vibrant, yet the girl so broken and when I think about it now; perhaps we all have a bit of her inside of us. But it's the cracks where the rays of light shine through! And this character to me portrays a girl who prays with worry (like James 1:6-8 talks about).  

We don't add a moment to our time by worrying; but when we take time to PRAY; we can encounter the Creator and things can shift! I'm choosing to believe for great things ahead and looking out ahead over the water the Hillsong song lyrics came to mind: "Give me faith to walk on water...” and I will go where He will lead me. 

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What in your life have you prayed for, then let it be snatched away by fear or worry immediately after prayer? I'm sure you’ve heard that expression that worrying is like a rocking-chair: you spend a lot of time "doing" but you never get anywhere.  In the end of this devotional will you choose to anticipate with great joy of what’s to come? Will you choose to believe he can do “immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine through His power working within you.”? Choose not to tell God how big your problems are, but tell your problems how BIG your God is! Then cling to that hope; Jesus, who is the anchor of your soul.  Ask him to do a mighty work. Commit to not worry.  

You got this friend. Keep trusting and keep your eyes on Him. 

RESPOND:

Do you “worry” your prayers?  What are you currently worrying over that God might be calling you to surrender and trust him with the answers/provision for? 

What are you going to choose to confront with the possibility that God could do ‘immeasurably more’ than you can ask, think, or imagine with?  

PRAYER:

Lord, I admit I get caught up in worrying about when things will happen. Father, when I start to worry about the very thing I just surrendered to you, will you quicken my heart to see your hand and feel your hand in my situation?  Lord help me to take my worries captive and choose to believe you will show up in mighty ways. Lord in the year we face, you have the ability to show off mightily. Help me keep my eyes fixed on you and Lord help me to daily surrender my worries and know that you are in control. Your timing is perfect and you are way bigger than the things I face today. Thank you for being a God who loves us infinitely despite our worry. Lord, I want to believe you. Help my unbelief.  Thank you for your love and for being a God who cares about even the most intricate details of our lives, like our worries. Thank you for your goodness. I love you, God. Amen