"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)
Dear Friends –
It is very hard for me not to worry about anything and everything. However, when I am in my fretful state-of-mind realizing I can do little to nothing for a particular situation, my first instinct always is to ask Almighty God to please handle the matter. Christian love is to give past self… think of the Good Samaritan who rescued the man left for dead on the 
roadside while two others had walked right by not worrying or caring for that man. So I guess, differing from St. Paul’s admonition, a better definition of worrying for me is rather the act of caring! When you live in this chaotic world of ours, you are constantly accosted by news of some new negative to be aware of, with the pandemic at the top of the list. Most mothers are concerned for the health of their family and they do all that they can to ensure proper diets and good safety procedures, which nowadays includes making sure everyone leaves wearing a mask; then she silently prays to their guardian angels to please watch over them and keep them from harm. Mothers are more keenly aware of the emotional needs of all the members of the family, so there are always those prayers to God for specific needs she knows are out of her control, but not impossible for Almighty God. She may still “worry” for that person until God does His thing, but she doesn’t worry that God won’t do something, because He is a faithful God.
When the national news reports on the latest catastrophe, it is possible you could protest in some manner, write a letter or two that might influence action, but again, always ask God to help. You are concerned for the country you live in; can’t stand the fact that wrong and immoral decisions are being made, but rather than stewing over the inability to affect action, you ask the One who can to please intercede. God is aware of everything and doesn’t need you to tell Him what to do, but He does want to hear from you that you are concerned and worrying about the wrong direction something is taking, that you are really caring for the physical and spiritual creation He gave us. You absolutely know He can influence hearts to change, open the eyes of those blind to wrong, and regardless of how He will handle it, you beg Him for a change to occur. Don’t be surprised when prayer is answered, or if it seemingly takes forever to see a change occur, sometime, something will happen because God knows you care.
Answered prayer demands a shout out of joy to Almighty God for sure… HE made it happen! “Thank God” is the first thing we shout out by reflex 
when Divine Providence intercedes and catastrophe is adverted. Or when some added income arrives moments before a financial crisis erupts, we see it as the hand of God bestowing the blessing we need, at exactly the right moment needed. That sigh of relief that has your innards gasping “Thank You God” for you know, only He was the one that heard your prayer. Once, twice, three times or more that you have shouted out “Thank You God” has only cemented your faith in Him… has only proved He really exists… has only proved He loves you… what a God! Be thankful you have Him! There’s none better!
