As a relatively new wife and mother, I am, for the first time in my life struggling with the temptation to worry. Just hearing a toddler’s croopy-like cough echo down the hallway makes me lie in bed with eyes peeled, muscles primed to run down into Vivienne’s room upon the slightest alarm. Or, while waiting for Ryan to return from a long run, I have the phone in hand, ready to call all of the local and state-wide emergency contact numbers until he walks safely in the door. Being able to worry like this – because I love these people so desperately – has been a wonderful growing experience for me. It has turned my prayer life inside-out; my deepest and most specific prayers that used to be primarily for myself are now becoming groanings for these wonderful people in my life… my husband, my children, my parents, and sisters…

I might go so far as to say that until I cared enough about other people as to legitimately worry about them, I really didn’t know how to pray for them. Perhaps that’s why Paul speaks directly to the worry-worts when he says…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philipians 4:6

He knew they could pray.