23 October 2023 - Part of Prayer is to lay down your cares

1 Peter 5:7(NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2 Corinthians 10:5b(NIV) We take captive every thought . . .

The mind is where the battle between worry (fear) and peace (faith) takes place. Whatever you allow to captivate your mind will rule your life. So, if you want the Word of God to reign over your thoughts, you have to resist the devil when he tries to plant anything contrary to God’s Word in your mind. That’s why, in order to cast your cares on Him, you have to stop worrying thoughts before they even start.

Matthew 6:25-26(NKJV) Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Replace each one of your cares with a promise from God’s Word. Give your cares to the Lord. The best way to learn about trusting the Lord in difficult times, is to go to the promises of God. God’s Word is loaded with promises that teach us about having faith in God during hard times. He tells us to not worry, to pray, and He will give us peace like you can’t imagine. He tells us that He is there with us, in the trenches. And even after the struggle, He will strengthen and calm us.

Matthew 11:28-30(NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Psalm 55:22(NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 55:22(MSG) Pile your troubles on GOD’S shoulders—he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin.

Always stand strong during times of trouble.

Proverbs 24:10(NIV) If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

How can you cast your cares upon the Lord, literally? It really all boils down to trust and obey. That’s where the power, peace, and deliverance come from. So, fight to trust Him despite what you’re feeling, thinking, or encountering.

Isaiah 26:4(NIV) Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

“Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem, faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain, faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t always take you out of the storm, faith calms you in the midst of the storm.” – Author Unknown