Thursday, 29^th February 2024

Bible Reading:  Isaiah 61:1-3

Memory Verse: Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (CSB)

Someone once gave the acronym of WORRY to mean “Wrong Or Right Remain Yourself”. Another interpreted it as “Waiting On Reality Repulses You”.

In her poem titled, “I worried”, Mary Oliver, the American Poet wrote: “I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers flow in the right direction, will the earth turn as it was taught, and if not, how shall I correct it? Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven, can I do better? Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows can do it and I am, well, hopeless. Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it. Am I going to get rheumatism, lockjaw, or dementia?”

This is a typical example of a life full of worry. The poem is a typical example of what many worry about in their daily lives. Why bother so much about what you cannot shape or stop? Do your best and leave the rest to the Lord. If you have control over all the small details of your life then there wouldn’t be any need for God. Give up the tiny little details into the hands of the Almighty having done your part. Be sure He will take care of the rest. Remember He feeds the birds.

Mary Oliver ended her poem by saying, “Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing. And gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.” She eventually saw the futility on worry but then, it had negatively affected her physical state. No wonder there are many wrinkles in many a people’s faces. She did the needful anyway. She exchanged her worries for thanksgiving. When you are grateful for what God has done, you will soon see His hands in every other thing, including your worries. Put a song of praise in your mouth this very moment.

Quote:  You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do – Olin Miller

Prophetic Decree: I speak peace to the myriads of worry that has encumbered your heart, in Jesus name. 

Prayer Focus 

1. Satan, pack all your triggers of worry away from my heart, in Jesus name.

2. Songs of thanksgiving shall not cease from my heart, in Jesus name.

3. I break the grip of mind demons in my heart, in Jesus name.

4. I destroy the stronghold of the strongman of worry in my heart, in Jesus name.

5. I receive the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Numbers 13