21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2022: Day 17

DAY 17: THE CURE FOR WORRY
Wednesday, February 23. 2022

Worry is all around us. Stress and anxiety were already at all-time highs, and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of us, life is often complicated. It is busy. We have much at stake. We have more than enough to do—even too much. We feel pressure at work, home, online, and even at church. No wonder worry has become the norm for so many of us. And yet, Jesus, who had plenty of pressure placed on him, refused to live a life of worry.

As we saw yesterday, Jesus modeled a life of simplicity. He acted upon his mission, spent time with people, and routinely got alone to pray. That was his lifestyle. It wasn’t dominated by the clock and calendar. He was free to be interrupted because he prioritized people over his position. While that may not always be feasible for most of us today, we can adopt the perspective we see in Jesus.

READ
Matthew 6:25-33

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

REFLECT
Jesus equates money and possessions with worry. Why do you think that is? Is it possible true freedom is found in simplicity? That seems to be the case in Jesus’ description of reality in this passage. He urges us not to worry but rather to live simply. While there is a movement towards embracing simplicity today, many followers of Jesus have lived that way for centuries.

Instead of worrying, Jesus tells us to first seek God’s Kingdom and live righteously. That means trusting God, pursuing God, and living according to what God says is right. Essentially, it’s being like Jesus. That is the real cure for worry—doing what Jesus did through a life of prayer and devotion.

Consider how different Jesus’ perspective is from that of our culture. Reflect on verse 27, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Imagine the freedom from the bondage of anxiety and fear Jesus desires for you when you trust Him and seek Him first.

RESPOND
Ask God for a breakthrough from worrying about what you cannot control. Spend time in your inner world seeking His kingdom first and trusting He will give you all you need. Slow down and take a few moments with God to let go of the things you regularly worry about. Commit to replacing worry with faith whenever you experience anxious thoughts throughout your day.

Prayer: Father, I place all things in Your hands. I refuse to worry about what I cannot control. Instead, I choose to trust You. I pray You will break the power of worry, stress, and anxiety in my life. Instead, help me live in the simplicity Jesus modeled. Help me slow down and be present with You and those around me. I surrender all my worries to You. Amen.