Pray More..Worry Less (WRONG)

 We have a piece of wall art hanging in our living room that says:

PRAY MORE...WORRY LESS
It does seem link good sound biblical advice doesn't it? That is until you really listen to what Jesus had to say about worrying. 
Here is part of yesterday's Read Together Plan from Matthew 6:

5 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This section is from the larger part that we refer to as the sermon on the mount (because Matthew says Jesus went up on a mount (hill) to teach), and comprises 3 continues chapters, Matthew 5-7.
Notice that Jesus didn't say we should "worry less". He simply (and I know it's not simple at times!) said "do not worry". 

It's a command. It's an impertive. Jesus isn't saying that it's OK to worry a little, or to worry about really important things. He said don't do it at all.
And why are we commanded not to worry?
Well, first because it doesn't do any good. Worrying doesn't change anything any more than you can will your hair to change color--although worrying probably does create more grey hairs before their time!
And, Jesus reminds us, "each day has enough trouble of its own". So, we don't need to add our worries about tomorrow into tomorrow, tomorrow will have enough to deal with!
But the most important reason not to worry? God will take care of you. 
He will provide what you need when you need it. And He knows, better than we know ourselves, what we really need. 
So, do not worry.
And what's the alternative?
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"

If you are prone to worry, or if there is something going on in your life right now that might lead you worry, then seek the Lord in this matter.
And pray. 

PRAY MORE...Worry Less  AND DO NOT WORRY.

Grace & Peace, 
Pastor Michael