Prayer: Day 17

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41 (NIV)

Women and worrying go hand and hand, don’t they? We wake up in the morning with the most pressing worries on our minds, and we go to bed with new ones we picked up during the day.

Car repairs, an angry neighbor, kids’ grades, their behavior at school, waiting for a medical diagnosis...

Worry chokes the spiritual life right out of us.

As mothers, we’ve got Martha’s mantra down, “Hustle, hurry, worry, busy, busy, busy.” But Jesus longs for a better way--Mary’s method of resting at His feet, hearing His voice, and being filled with abundant peace and joy.

Unfortunately, we choose doing over being with God. We get so caught up in serving that we miss out on simply enjoying Him. We must learn to treasure God’s presence over productivity and simply come to Him in prayer.

Yes, there are many things to be done this day, but only one thing needs to be done: being present to Jesus through prayer. Here in His presence our hearts and minds will be guarded against all the worries of this life. And that is a beautiful place to start each day.
By His grace, dear momma, He extends a new invitation to us today. “Daughter, come into My presence. Sit at my feet. Linger a bit longer in my Word and be filled with all the good gifts I offer that will never be taken from you.”

Lord, help me choose Mary’s way of humbly sitting at your feet. Here, I lift all my worries into Your loving hands. And as I linger in Your presence, I ask that they be stilled and I be filled with your gracious gift of peace. Thank you for the promise that it will not be taken from me. Amen.

-Amy

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