No One Can Pray And Worry at the Same Time
“No one can pray and worry at the same time.”
Is your worry off the charts these days?
Mine has been. My sleep has been pretty fitful. I have been waking up in the middle of the night and often laying there as my thoughts bounce around like ping pong balls. They ping around about my husband's small business, my friends who are nurses and doctors, my children’s lack of rhythm, my book launch, my parents and their age, this global pandemic, my hall closet, that thing I said the other day I didn't really mean, my hair. You name it. I’m giving it worry time.
What are we to do about all of our racing thoughts?
Max Lucado said it best. We can worry or we can pray, but we can't do both. So I am practicing, as best as I can, to put God in front of it all. Putting God as my first word in front of all these worries is proving to be a helpful and calming practice.
Grace looks amazing on us when we put God first.
"God, what about my single mom friends right now? God, how long can we keep up this social distancing that has turned to cabin fever? God, bring me peace. God, You are the Prince of Peace and You reign over every thought. God, You are King and I am not. You are mighty. You are powerful. You are merciful. You are compassionate. You are gracious. You are a rock. A shield. A fortress."
The more we put God in front of it all, the more we will think about who God is instead of what we cannot control. Let God take the lead. Turning our worry into prayer has a domino affect. We begin focusing on God and His good character. And we start to rest and trust. And we find peace. We begin to see He is so much bigger than any fears we have.
When we place God in front of our worry, our fears slow down and our faith strengthens.
But maybe you feel like you’re not sure about God’s character or you are having trouble remembering who He is when you are worried? God’s word is the perfect place to go. Memorize a few of His characteristics in the light to recall in the dark. Here are my favorite places to remember God’s character:
"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." - Psalm 18:1-2 ESV
“The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” - Psalm 108: 3 NLT
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” - Isaiah 43:12 ESV
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23 ESV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.” - Phil 4:6-7 NIV
May you know grace looks like prayer. May you put God first and find peace. May you find calm in the night.