1 Peter 5.6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him,
because he cares for you.
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The word “casting” that Peter uses here is a fishing term. Fishermen would use a net that was weighted down in order to trap and capture fish. For me, my worries and anxieties spread over me like a net and weigh me down, trapping and entangling me like helpless fish. But when I cast the net of my cares and anxieties upon the Lord, He is not trapped by them, but instead He overcomes them and breaks that net of worry into pieces.
It is our work to cast care,
it is God’s work to take care.
-Thomas Watson, 1620-1686
The act of worrying is simply “praying to myself.” Worry is something I do when I feel like I need to find the solution, be in control, or find a way out of something. Ultimately, it’s what I do when I don’t believe that God is in control. Instead, I look inward for solutions, as if I am truly praying to myself. All of this brings fear and anxiety and reveals that something else is my god, my idol that I worship.
But if I realign and instead aim my worries toward God, I can cast my worries upon Him and let Him do the worrying (and I know He doesn’t actually worry!). Jesus made it clear that worry does nothing for me other than rob me of joy (Matthew 6.25-34). No amount of “praying to myself” will change what happens tomorrow. More likely, it instead distracts me from looking to God and putting my trust in Him, and I miss out on receiving the gifts of His presence, peace, and strength to get me through my trials.
Worrying doesn’t empty
tomorrow of its sorrow,
it empties today of its strength.
-C.H. Spurgeon
In reality, worry is an act of worship. When I worry, I put myself on the throne, believing I must be in control. Instead, I need to cast my heart and my cares upon the Lord as dependent prayers.
The way to be anxious
about nothing
is to be prayerful
about everything.
-D.A. Carson
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
1 Peter 5.6-7
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Praise to the Lord
Joachim Neander, 1680
Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Praise to the Lord,
the Almighty, the King of creation
O my soul, praise Him,
for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord,
who over all things
so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,
yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen
how thy desires have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord,
O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly forever adore Him!
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Pray Aloud:
O God, You shine Your light
on the deep darkness of night.
Shine Your light on my deep darkness,
and guard my heart
in the way of Your commandments.
Lord, for You live and reign
with Your Son and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
–Antiphonary of Bangor, Ireland, 7th Century
My Life Mission is to abide in and enjoy
the love of my Father,
through the gift of His Son,
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
Through the gifts of
His Word, prayer, and His people,
So I can steward my whole being,
including my time, treasure, and talents,
For the glory of God and joy of all people.
Father, be glorified in __________ ,
let Your Kingdom and will be done,
in and through __________
as it is in Heaven.
Give _________ daily bread,
and thank You for Your forgiveness.
Help me to forgive others,
as I know that You have forgiven me.
Keep __________ eyes fixed on You
and Your Word so that _______
may not sin against You.
Thank You for Your sovereign love.
