Turning your worries into prayers is a simple thing and yet one we constantly fail at. But, when we do get into the habit, the peace of God that comes is truly incredible.

As you can tell, I’ve been meditating of late on the reflections of Henri Nouwen who wonderfully wrote…

From Unceasing Thinking to Unceasing Prayer

“Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is “unceasing.” Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings, and fears. Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue withour God, who is the source of all love.

Let’s break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.” – Henri J. M. Nouwen

The age old wisdom is this…

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” – Philippians 4:6,7 CEV

Today, make a list of all that worries you and then find a quiet place, thank God that He is bigger than your worries and one by one give thanks for those worries and that God will work mightily in them. Ask Him for strength, patience and peace as you allow Him to do His work! He may simply be waiting for you to turn it all over to Him. Release control and trust Him.

And then you can, stand firm, be brave, be not afraid and watch the Lord save you! (Exodus 14:13)