photo #9349182

•A Prayer for the What-if’s of Life•By Anthony Valente👉 “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)Some days my anxious feelings get the best of me. Like the day I headed out the door with my family, dog, and paddle boards to spend 4 hours at the lake so my oldest son could take an important online exam at home. I thought I had a handle on the day until I remembered something that made me tremble.My daughter was learning to drive, and I’d promised she could practice getting on the highway for the first time that morning.Suddenly all my what-if’s came crashing in on me. What if my daughter had a wreck? What if the internet went out at home, and my son bombed his test?I took a deep breath and remembered to pray for God’s grace over my life and His peace in my heart, just like I’d read in my Bible that morning. I felt calmer as I walked out the door.In the New Testament, Paul began almost every letter he wrote with these words: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Sometimes when we hear things again and again, we tend to tune them out, yet Paul wanted believers everywhere to remember and avail themselves of the grace and peace of God.You may be wrestling with your own what-if’s today. What if the job doesn’t happen? What if the chemo doesn’t work or the marriage counseling doesn’t help?How about taking a deep breath right now and remembering God loves you dearly? He stands ready to give you the grace and peace you need. No matter what happens today, God will give you His enabling grace to handle it. You belong to Jesus; nothing can steal the gift of eternal life His death has already secured for you.Through Jesus, the Prince of Peace, you can experience the peace that passes understanding. Even in the middle of unresolved, anxiety-producing situations, you can rest in the knowledge that God is working out His perfect will for you.So much of life happens outside of our control, but let’s not miss the grace of God. What if we meditate on Romans 1:7 today and receive the blessings of grace and peace He desires to give us?Let us pray.✝️ Heavenly Father,When things happen outside my control, I remember my life belongs to You. I surrender to Your will for my life and Your plan for my day. Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to die on the cross to give me the gift of God’s grace. Forgive me for the many times I’ve trusted in my own abilities and struggled to do things in my own power. Help me to rest in and trust Your enabling grace today. I know that in all my challenges, Your grace will strengthen and enable me to live for You. Forgive me for letting stress and worry get the better of me. Thank You for the gift of peace. In this moment, I open my heart to receive the peace that only Jesus can give. No matter what happens today, help me to meet it with a calm spirit and peaceful heart. I receive Your grace and peace, Lord. I remember and receive Your love for me. Help me remember You are with me each moment.In Jesus’ name,AMEN 🙏 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.(2 Corinthians 13:14)May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.(2 Peter 1:2-3)I can do all things through him who strengthens me.(Philippians 4:13)Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.(2 John 1:3)Moses said this about the tribe of Benjamin: “The people of Benjamin are loved by the LORD and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm.”(Deuteronomy 33:12)As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.(Acts 7:59-60)May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.(Ephesians 1:2)Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.(1 Peter 5:7)Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.(Romans 5:1)In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.(Matthew 5:16)My bride, my sister, I will come to my garden. I will gather my myrrh with my spice. I will eat my honeycomb with my honey. I will drink my wine with my milk. Eat, my friends! Drink and become intoxicated with expressions of love!(Song of Solomon 5:1)For we walk by faith, not by sight.(2 Corinthians 5:7)And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:38-39)Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.(Colossians 3:12-15)“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.(Matthew 6:8-13)Save [us] with your powerful hand, and answer us so that those who are dear to you may be rescued. (Psalm 60:5)He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.(Hebrews 1:3)(pic verse)Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”(Revelation 21:1-4)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld