Pray in Faith: Victory in SurrenderSample

# How can I pray in faith over my finances? ## Read It Matthew 6:25-34 (abridged) “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? …And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ## Meditate On It In a world where resources are scarce, followers of Christ are called to live by faith in God’s faithful provision. Worrying about our finances does not result in anything but unnecessary stress. It is ultimately rooted in a lack of faith in the Lord, who is the Giver of all things. Depending on the Lord doesn’t merely mean we wait and be complacent, but that we seek Him above all, and He will be the one to give what we lack. Consider the following questions: 1\. Based on the passage, what possible worries can one experience? What does worrying about these things result to? 2\. How does Jesus relate our needs to what God gives? What examples did He use from nature? 3\. What are the reasons why people worry, according to Jesus? What is God’s solution to our concerns about resources? ## Apply It 1\. How is my heart whenever I am financially concerned about food, clothing, shelter, and other needs? 2\. What can I specifically contribute to my family, church, community, or discipleship group? How can I best serve God with my resources? Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) commitments. Example: “Rather than spend on my desires, I will choose to spend on needs and give back the extra to God’s work or help ______ starting this month.” 3\. How can I best express my love for God in the way that I serve others? By faith, I will ask my Heavenly Father and lift up these needs... (List each need down and pray) ## Pray It Take the time to cast your burdens unto the Lord: any discouragement, anxiety, shortcoming, or fear that gets in the way of your relationship with God. • Let us confess the times we let our worries consume us. Let us repent of the times that we have relied on our own strength or wisdom rather than depending on God first and foremost for our needs and resources. • Ask the Lord for a personal breakthrough in your finances and resources — pray for a heart that seeks God’s Kingdom above all; let the Holy Spirit guide your saving and spending, with every cent spent under His wisdom and discernment. • Pray to be more generous, charitable, and cheerful as you give your time, talents, and resources to God’s work in the church, in your family or community, and/or anyone who may be in need at this moment.