Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples from a Cave, courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Lent 2024

Daily Devotion

for 40 Days

Monday, March 11, 2024

Day 23

Cross Keys United Methodist Church

www.crosskeyschurch.org

Scripture:

Mathew 6:34 (NIV)

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflection:

I discovered this verse through a devotional I was reading centering on being still in God’s glory. This verse resonates with me because I find myself more than too often getting caught up in focusing on what is coming next. What my plans are for the day, week, or month, that I forget to take a deep breath and look around.

Being present in every day is so important because realizing you are in the midst of God’s glory in each moment is a blessing we can always be thankful for. Getting caught in the flowing current of stress and anxiety about the future is doing nothing but harm to us because tomorrow will worry about itself.


God has a plan for each and every one of us and by worrying about the future we fail to open our eyes and see what God

has given us in the present.


God’s glory is shown in so many ways around our lives or in our every day and by choosing to focus on God each day we give ourselves to him and allow him to put His plan in play. Let us stop worrying about tomorrow and focus on the glory of today.

Reflection Written by Ava Ritz

Prayer:


Dear Heavenly father, we thank you for giving us this season of Lenten to put you first in our lives. As we hold you close to our hearts each day, allow us to release our worries about the future that you continue to control, and let us open our hearts to you.

In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen.

Please take a moment to consider what God is speaking to you through the scripture passage and the devotional reflection.


Then, take some time for prayer—pray for your own soul, and lift up

our sisters and brothers who are struggling with various issues. May God bless them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please remember our prayer list as well.


You can also listen to the music provided below as a backdrop

for your time of prayer.

Man Praying Illustration

Way Maker by Leeland