Thought For the Week 22 September 2024

 “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Philippians 4:6-7, The Message

It seems to me that our lives are constantly being bombarded by things to worry about.

Finances.

Politics.

Wars and rumours of wars.

The constant message of advertising, media, and public figures seems to be this: “Something very bad is happening. You should be worried about this. The only answer is to (buy this product / vote for me / blame these people) (delete as appropriate)”.

It’s incredibly stressful. These messages of worry and fear are designed to undermine our confidence in the witness of our eyes, and the faith of our hearts. What can we stand on when all other ground is sinking sand?

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers.

It is wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.

Let Christ, and his all-encompassing love for you, be the place that you place your feet. Your foundation, your hope, and your peace.

Whatever is on your mind, whatever you cannot seem to put down, I encourage you to bring it to God in prayer. Not just once, but again and again, until you start to feel that peace that passes all understanding.

This is my prayer for you this week.

Many blessings,

Rory