Refuse to Worry: A 21st Century Worship Resource for the Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

Refuse to Worry
(Matthew 6:24-34)

Leader: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear." (Mt 6:25a, NRSV)
People: We cast all our anxiety on God, because God cares for us. (1 Pe 5:7)

Leader: Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Mt 6:26, NRSV)
People: We remember that even the hairs of our heads are all counted. We are not afraid, for we know that we are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)

Leader: Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?’ (Matthew 6:31, NRSV)
People: We refuse to worry. We will strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

Pastoral Prayer
(Matthew 6:24-34)

Loving God,
In a culture that is more preoccupied with satisfying meal preferences than with making sure that all are fed, we are guilty of too much worry.

Forgive us, Lord,
For needless worry.

Forgive us, Lord,
For any worry that is rooted in selfishness.

Teach us, Lord,
The grace of waiting patiently when we are in genuine need.

Remind us, Lord,
That you are both Lord of the sparrows and Lord of our lives.

Remind us, Lord,
That you are the source of all that we need. Amen.