Today’s Reflection
DON’T WORRY! This is easier said than done. How can one not worry during times of trouble? Our families need to be fed, our children need to be clothed, school fees need to be paid — and the list goes on. I do not think that Jesus was asking his followers [in Matthew 6:25-34], or us, to adopt a carefree attitude toward our finances. If we did, we would soon find ourselves in even further difficulty. …
Notice that God takes care of our needs, not our wants. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he reiterated this point by saying, “Give us this day our daily bread” (6:11).
Take a moment today to sit quietly in your backyard, garden, or a park. Look at the birds, trees, and insects. God takes care of their needs. God loves you and will take care of your needs.
Take this opportunity to surrender yourself into God’s hands. Allow God to harness your worry, calm the panic, and assure you that God cares about who you are and what is taking place in your life.
– Wessel Bentley Facing Financial Struggle
From page 12 of Facing Financial Struggle: 28 Days of Prayer by Wessel Bentley. Copyright © 2010 by Wessel Bentley. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Practice the act of surrender described above. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven.
1 Kings 8:22, NRSV
This Week: pray for those who are learning a new skill. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Rose of Lima (August 23).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
9 Comments
Thank you God for taking care of my needs. I surrender to you completely.
Blessings to all
Thank you, God, for providing for me in material and non- material ways. I will let go of my worries, over and over, and trust in You.
Monday prayers for Connie and prayers for all UR friends and visitors. Blessings, all.
“I surrender all”……all to Jesus, I surrender.
Thank you, Andrea. Blessings on your week.
Mary, may your week go well.
Thankful for:
Nature-my backyard. Birds, trees, flowers and even insects (huge mosquitos!) My wildflower For-Get-Me-Nots are flourishing and spreading.
Hope in my heart.
Our faithful paper deliverer, mail carrier, waste management workers
People in my life who make my life easier-never more difficult.
(I didn’t receive yesterday’s Reflection.)
Thanks dear Connie!
May you enjoy God’s presence and his creation each day!
Blessings!
Grateful for these reminders-
I pray for God to replace my worries with His peace- I forget to count my blessings and be thankful – I have a reminder over my kitchen sink – but I every forget to read that… thank you for the reminder to be grateful for little things – like blooming forget me nots that help us not forget and remeber those we hold dear in our hearts forever.
Bless all who come here today with less worry and more peace.
It is difficult to rest in God’s assurances. I am glad this reflection captures that and even endorses being concerned for our future. I have been castigating myself for not being at ease with all the uncertainty in my life. It is good to have “permission” for concern.
Prayers for Mary, may she have a successful week with less admnistrative work. Prayers for her parents and may they have less pain.
Prayers for Andrea aand her family. I pray her daughter is less stressed and is more patient with her son.
Prayers for Connie and her kind thoughts of people who are often overlooked but do indeed make all our lives easier.
Grateful for a day with my daughter visiting a botanical garden yesterday. Grateful for the relationship I have with my daughter which is loving and enriches my life. Kitty stories: I have to eave them alone on the days I spend with my daughter (every other Sunday – yes her dad and I still adhere to the custody agreement even though she is 27). She lives with me but that day we spend the day together doing fun things together. But the kitties get very upset and cry before I leave. The “husband” is supposed to care for them, but he leaves them alone. I feel bad, but I only take that one day every other week for myself. It is amazing how different they act the next day, they are much calmer.
Prayers for and thank you to all of the UR family
Thanks dear Julie!
May all your needs be met and may all be well with you!
Blessings!
Thank you, Julie. Prayers for you, your daughter, and your sweet kitties.
Didn’t get this until 8/21. Tried to find it yesterday but was not successful.
The 8/21 reflection came. I echo the prayers for all of you, here now, and in
today’s reflection.
Add Comment