Do Not Worry

Matthew 6: 25-34

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Question for Reflection

This reading from the Sermon on the Mount encourages us, in various ways, not to worry or be anxious, but to trust in God.  What is a recurring worry in your life?  What anxiety wakes you up in the night or consumes your efforts in the day?  Choose an image, word, or phrase from this week’s readings that provides insight or comfort as you seek to overcome your worries with your faith in God’s provision. 

Morning Prayer

Calming God, 

Help me to bind your Word to myself today

and to share it with my friends, family and with all whom I encounter,

that I may experience your blessings, comfort, and peace in you. 

Amen.

Evening Prayer

Holy One, 

Into your hands I commit this day that I have lived.  

Redeem those places where I have failed,

and use what I have done to manifest your goodness. 

For I trust that it is not my righteousness but your grace that makes all things well.

Let my mind rest as I sleep in your comforting peace. 

Amen.