With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) O Lord, I am lowly and humble. You alone are my inheritance. Amen.
Word: Philippians 4:5-7
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Meditation
Paul had lots of reasons to be anxious. He was in jail and facing execution. His life’s work was under threat from enemies and rivals. People he dearly loved were facing persecution and even turning against each other. My guess is you’re not facing those specific things. But you have your own list. People and situations that keep you up at night and make you worry about the future.
But Paul has an antidote for anxiety. Prayer. For Paul, prayer and anxiety are like oil and water. Especially prayers of thanksgiving. Because when we’re thankful – when we think back with gratitude to all the good things that God has already done for us, it gives us confidence for the future and repels anxiety. We remember God’s promises and we remember all the times he has made good on those promises. That he has seen us through this far and that not even death can separate us from him or his love.
So what are you thankful for today? These can be spiritual blessings – God’s Word and promises to you, a church family or community, faithful friends and family. Or it can be really earthly things – a home, food, good health, the weather or nature. Prayer and thankfulness is the antidote for anxiety.
Prayer for Family
· For my immediate family (parents, spouse, siblings).
· For extended family (cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents)
· For close friends that are as family to me.
· For those who don’t have families, or whose families are broken.
· For forgiveness and reconciliation where there is division in my family.
· For provision where there is need in my family.
· For God to be the foundation, and the cross the center of my family.
· For a generation yet unborn, future members of our family.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank you for my family and close friends. They are one of your great gifts to me. I place them into your hands today. Amen.