Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 5/27

I saw online that today, May 27 is Nothing To Fear Day, the origins of which aren't clear but seem to have some connection to President Roosevelt's famous words, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."  Of course, we Christians have a much older tradition when it comes to fear - and not being afraid...

 

    Jesus said to them, 

        "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."  

    Matthew 14:27

 

    Jesus told them:
        "Do not worry about tomorrow;
            tomorrow will take care of itself.
    Matthew 6:34

Even as I begin to reflect on your word, Lord,

I know I do have fears and worries 

    about tomorrow, and next week, and...

well, let's just say I worry about a lot of things

    - a lot of the time...

And though you tell me not to worry,
  to "be not afraid,"
worries and fears still flood my mind, 

    burden my heart
       and trouble my soul...

I'm so easily occupied by worry

and my fears hold me hostage:
    my worries distract me from you, Lord,
       and from others, 

    and from moments of joy

        so close to hand - even right in my lap...

You tell me not to worry,
   that tomorrow will take care of itself
      and I know you're right, Lord!
At least I know that worrying,
   or worrying more, 

        or worrying harder or longer
   won't resolve whatever about tomorrow
       holds me captive, anxious today...

 
There may well be things to do today
   to prepare for tomorrow responsibly
but worrying this day won't change the next
  it will only disturb and upset me...

Worry wearies my mind and saps my strength
    so tomorrow finds me tired and spent
       looking in vain for the energy
          I worried away, the day before...

Saddest of all, fearing tomorrow
   clouds my vision and closes my eyes to
      this day's blessings, this day's peace, 

    to all the ways you're with me, Lord,
       in the moment right at hand...

How often, Lord, have I missed your grace, 

    have I missed your strength,

        have I missed your presence at my side
when my head and heart and thoughts were lost
    in worry over many things

that hadn't yet and might not ever

    even come to pass?

How many blessings have I missed on one day
    fretting, fearing and imagining 

        the worst about tomorrow?

Strengthen my faith, Lord, 

    help me let go my worry and fear:

let me drink in the peace you give me today,

    the joy that will never come again

        - the way it comes today...

Help me keep it in today, Lord, because
   this is the day that you have made,
   today is the day you've given me

        - and this time of trust and prayer...

Help me trust, Lord,

    that you know more about the next day than I do,

that I'll be safe in your hands tomorrow

    as I'm safe in your hands today...

Help me keep it in today, Lord:
   be my grace for living this day,

   my wisdom for accepting this day,   

   my strength for surviving this day
and be my hope for trusting that tomorrow

    you'll be with me by my side
         as surely as you're with me now... 

 

Amen. 

 

Nothing to Fear by Audrey Assad

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here! 

 

 

When you pass through the waters 

I will be with you 

And the depths of the river 

shall not overwhelm 

When you walk through the fire 

you will not be burned 

I am the Lord. I am the Lord  

 

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear 

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear 

For I am with you always.  

 

In the depths of your sorrow 

I wept beside you 

When you walked through the shadow 

I drew you near 

Yesterday, today, tomorrow - always the same 

I am the Lord, I am the Lord  

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear 

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

For I am with you always.  

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear 

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

For I am with you always. 

 

What can separate you from My perfect Love? 

What can separate you from My perfect Love? 

What can separate you from My perfect Love? 

Do not fear. Do not fear. Do not fear.

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