1 John 4:18:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
As you may have gathered by now, the Reverend Peter Marshall, who was Senior Pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC from 1937-1949, as well as Chaplain of the US Senate from 1947 until his death in 1949, is one of my all-time favorite preachers. Often there is a quote, sermon or prayer of his that fits so perfectly into a devotion or series I’m working on that my words would pale in comparison. As I read through his works, I can imagine hearing his Scottish brogue that gave a clue to his birthplace.
He had a keen understanding of the issue of fear as his time in pastoral ministry included the period when America was at war with Germany. Though many years have passed since he left this earth, his works come alive—often with a poetic style—and have a profound resonance for our time. Such is my sense with this prayer, “To Lift the Burden of Worry.”
One may argue that they aren’t living in fear on a daily basis, but if one were to substitute the word “worry” instead of “fear,” it might apply for any of us. We all need reminding that worry and fear are not from God; He has replaced them with His peace. We are often numb or deaf to the reality of the Holy Spirit that resides in our hearts, and His provision of peace. Let us once again embrace the promise of His peace that “surpasses all understanding (and) will stand guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) Forsake fear and worry, dear readers, and trust in our risen Savior.
To Life the Burden of Worry
“Father, some of Thy children find life hard. It is for them we would ask Thy help now. Many of them are burdened with loads that they need not carry. Many of them clutch dark burdens of anxiety and worry, when no child of Thine need be anxious. There are many who carry loads of fear when there is nothing to fear: many who make themselves miserable when they might be filled with Thy peace.
We ask Thee, O Lord, to teach us all how to live without strain. We have to confess to Thee that most of the things we have worried about have never happened.
Teach us the secret of living just one day at a time, knowing that each day brings with it so much joy that we cannot fully explore it, so many blessings that we cannot even count them—much less enter into them all.
So, help us to be like children, content to live fully each hour as it comes. Then shall we escape the corroding care, the agonizing worry that destroys our peace of mind, renders us unfit for happiness, and dishonors Thee. Then shall we be filled with joy and that peace which no circumstance can take from us. We thank Thee for Thy ceaseless bounty for that joy and that peace. Amen.”
~ Taken from The Prayers of Peter Marshall, edited by Catherine Marshall, 1949
~ painting by John Sloane
