Praying over unbelievers and potato salad

 

I know. You’re wondering where I am going with this, right? It all began with my morning prayer time. 

I spent some time praying over all those who are:

• Too busy for God right now
• Wanting to get all cleaned up and straight and in control before they commit to God
• Too angry or too disappointed in God
• Those full of doubts and fears in turning/trusting in God yet again
• Those caught in so much guilt and shame they can’t lift their face to Him in prayer

The list goes on and on. You know them…

Then my prayers turned to loving like Jesus does - not based on how people treat me. I don’t know their backstory. I don’t know the troubles they are trying to get through or the overwhelming, distracting, consuming burdens they are carrying right now. You. Me. We all sin and fall short… and yet, Jesus has had mercy on us. Jesus loves us, loves us and takes care of us in spite of our failures, weaknesses, shortcomings or distractions… and I should love like that. I want to love like that. Mercifully. Gently. Kindly. Compassionately.

And then the twist. I started worrying about my own worries. As I previewed my day. I have been out of town and had to grab something from the deli for a gathering tonight. When I got home, I realized I somehow ended up with a spicy version of potato salad. That’s where the worries began. What if “everybody” hates spicy food. And I am stuck with this bowl of potato salad (that was kind of expensive). And immediately the Lord recalled to me a worry I had just the other night. It wasn’t a major worry either. It wasn’t as important as people struggling in their faith. It wasn’t something as important as loving neighbor as myself. It was just another niggling little thing. But by morning it was resolved.

Have you worried in the past? Recall how it got resolved. I’ll bet you God had something to do with it. Whether it is a big important event or a simple little foolish concern that seemed big and important at the time. God stepped in. And in His Word He promises to step in:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These aren’t empty words. This is a real promise from a real loving, involved God. Tried and true. You can know this by reflecting on past circumstances. 

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Worried about a wayward child? God’s got this.

Worried about a health concern? God’s got this.

Worried about spicy potato salad? God is going to take care of it.

You name it. 

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

‬‬ “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. [Ps 55:22]” 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And there are even more scriptures that support God’s love and care over the big and the small in your life. Promise after promise. 

So remain confident. Give ALL your worries. Tell God. And thank the Lord.