Scotty Smith hat auf seinem Blog (hier) ein Gebet für einen Montagmorgen formuliert. Ich habe es heute, in meiner Mittagspause „entdeckt“ und war gesegnet. Wer von uns kann schon sagen, dass ihm die Erfahrungen, die im Gebet beschrieben werden, völlig fremd sind? Wir sind doch nur Menschen.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.1 Peter 5:7Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matt. 6:27
Gracious Father, I slept well last night but I awoke restless, fitful, and anxious. I know you tell me not to be anxious about anything (Phil. 4,6), but I am. Sunrise has yet to happen, yet I’m already looking forward to moonrise. Thank you for freeing me from the pressure of pretending otherwise. At least I’m not anxious about surprising, embarrassing, or disappointing you. The gospel has taken care of that old bondage and slavery.
What’s going on inside of me? There’s really nothing enormous looming on the horizon; no one major crisis is staring me down; there’s no boulder I’m assigned to push up a hill like Sisyphus. It’s just one of those Mondays I find myself looking at seventeen little backpacks of needs, issues, and hurting hearts lined up at my front door, waiting to be picked up as I head into the week.
So what will I do with my restless, anxious feelings? Father, I would surely despair if I didn’t really believe you care for us, your children. That would be the one unbearable burden. But please help me know what anxiety casting actually looks like today and this whole week. Help me live this day at the pace of grace—no faster or slower.
Of these things I’m certain: you’re not calling me to be the fourth member of the Trinity; I’m not the whole body of Christ; you do promise sufficient grace; you will give wisdom to those who ask; and your strength is made perfect in weakness—in my weakness.
Show me which of the seventeen little backpacks I’m to pick up first. Which ones don’t really have my name on them at all? Which ones will just have to wait? Today is a good day for me to remember the words of my spiritual father, Jack Miller, “A sign of your maturity in the gospel will be seen in terms of who you’re willing to disappoint.” Free me from the dread of disappointing people, Father.
As you’ve promised, please send your transcendent peace to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4,7). So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ trustworthy and treasured name.