Anxious year
This soon-to-pass year was a tough one. It shocked the entire world. Here is a list of events that made this year stand out from any other historical year: 1. It was the most violent year ever, it rose to 180,000 events with political violence leading the way. 2. It was the biggest election year ever recorded around the world. 3. Taylor Swift eclipsed all concerts with a 2.3 seismic equivalent dancing. 4. It is set to be the warmest year since 1850. 5. Weight-loss wonder drug Ozempic hitting the 1/2 billion dollar market. The American Psychiatric Association reported this year that 43% of Americans are feeling more anxious than in previous years. Although the anxiety, stress, and the feeling of agony levels are at all times high the remedy dosage of prayer does not change. The scriptures tell us to leave all our anxieties in prayer (Ph4:6-7). Prayer lowers stress and improves moods and health. The Psalmist encourages us to cast our burdens upon the Lord and he will sustain us (Ps55:22).
Luke 22:44-46
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Jesus at the garden of Getsemani poured all his anxieties in prayer to the Father and Luke mentions that an angel came to minister to him there. In his deepest despair of what was to come Jesus prayed to the Father, and he sent an angel to strengthen his Son. The disciples did not heed prayer in their deepest despair instead gave in to the temptation of being sorrowful and went to sleep. Temptation is the intentional enticement of a person by bait. The bait of sleep came to the disciples and they fell for it making them believe that all their sorrow would leave. But Jesus took them out of the temptation and led them to the assured way from sorrow and anxiety through prayer. The scriptures tell us that with every temptation God has a way of delivering us (1Cor10:13). When we enter into temptation, we allow our hearts to be weighed down. Jesus told his disciples to watch lest their hearts be weighed down with the temptation of sinful activities and anxieties (Lk 21:34). The disciples could not allow the heaviness of their hearts because of the things that were to come to bring them down; they needed to pray (Jh 14:1). The scriptures encourage us to come close to the throne of grace and there we will find help (He 4:16)
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Psalms 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.