Pause: A Month of Prayer in Five Minutes a DaySampel

Proclaim

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

Prompt

“Do not be anxious about anything.”

I don’t know about you, but it feels pretty good to hear that God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, desires that we not be stressed out and fixated on what’s to come.

Instead, we get to pray. Rather than furrow our eyebrows with worry or let our hearts get revved up with anxiety, we get to smile and talk to God. Because we know He listens.

But how can you practice this? When you begin to slip into anxiety, sadness, or anger, when you begin to overthink a situation, fixate instead on something within your control… Take a beat. Pause. Breathe for a few moments, and while you breathe, pray and remind yourself that God’s Got This.

And then move on. You don’t have to be anxious about it anymore! That’s not your job!

Prod

Let’s practice this right now… let your mind roll through any anxious thoughts you might currently be dealing with. With each one, say out loud, “God’s Got This!”

Keep going until the anxiety falls away and a smile comes to your face. Because knowing God is in control feels good!

Praise

Listen to “Arms of Jesus” by Cade Thompson

Pray

Jesus, thank you for taking care of this for me. Thank you for letting me fall into your arms. You give me peace when I'm nervous. You give mercy when I deserve justice. You give me HOPE when everything seems to be falling apart. Jesus, you’ve got my burdens! I give it all to you… please give me all smiles in return. Amen.