On Top of Everything--WE HAVE HOPE! C.A.S.T.ing Our Cares On The Lord Prayer #1

The last thing you need is the terror and fear pumping out of the news every hour. It feeds on itself creating frenzy and panic and and empty toilet paper shelves.

Don't fall prey to the excess fear. Do pray to your Father God who will never leave you or forsake you.

The madness and fear that's gripping our country needs to be met with fierce and unfettered prayer. God will answer! How's this for hope? Call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15

But I know that with "widow fog" its difficult to concentrate. With the events unfolding around us it's difficult to focus too---for everyone!--but widows have a double challenge of concentration AND focus. But God is not surprised. Pray anyway. Satan is just waiting for you to crumple and quit. He will rub his hands together and drool with glee. Please don't satisfy him.

Here's a way to pray when fear is screaming at us.

The verses in italics are perfect prompts. Read them out loud to get started.

Add more words if you are led and then go on to the next letter of C.A.S.T. Pray for one minute or one hour. Any amount of prayer is the most important thing you can do today.

 C.A.S.T. PRAYING 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

(Words to pray are in italics).

Lord, I come to you in prayer today, humbly casting all my anxiety on you, because you care for me. 

CONFESSION. CONFESS YOUR SIN
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23,24.

ADORATION. ADORE THE LORD
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3.

SUPPLICATION. ASK FOR NEEDS
(Prayer is asking for something you need and want. Supplication means REALLY asking. Frank supplication is the furthest thing from keeping everything in perspective... Supplication is not a calming exercise like deep breathing. Supplication pleads for help from Someone who can help.")*
To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands to your Most Holy Place. Psalm 29:1,2
Turn to me and be gracious to me for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged, bring me out of my distress. Psalm 25:16,17

THANKSGIVING. THANK GOD FOR AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT THINGS EACH DAY
(I know that when we are in suffering times, giving thanks is a matter of strong-willed obedience, not a matter of feelings that gush with thanks. It's a sacrifice; it costs. But I also know it's worth it).
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23
(Tell God at least three different things you are thankful for every day. These are words of life preparing you to fully live again).
Thank you, Lord for these three blessings: 1.____2.____3.______
Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ... 2 Corinthians 2:14

AMEN

My prayer for you is that you will blossom and abound today. Don't worry about tomorrow.

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in ALL THINGS at ALL TIMES, having ALL THAT YOU NEED, you will abound in every good work....and... result in thanksgiving to God. 
2 Corinthians 9:8-11

Thanks for letting me share this with you today. Let's go pray now, fierce and unfettered!

❤ferree

* from "God's Grace in your Suffering," by David Powlinson, pgs. 65-66.