Praying about Money Worries

I would bet that the hardest thing for most of us trying to have total faith in our God is when we have money troubles. I know the story of the “lilies of the field.” There are lots of references in the Bible explaining how we should trust the Lord for our shelter and livelihood. But in real life, it is one of the hardest things for me to deal with. No, not “one” of the hardest; by far, the hardest.

I’ve written, once or twice, perhaps, about this. Still, when things get all messed up, when I am dodging this collector, begging for time on a debt, in total fear of utilities being cut off - at those times, fear blocks out what I know faith should tell me.

The problem is that I always have trouble praying for help when I suspect the problem is my fault to start with, at least in part. With debt, I do not mis-spend. I simply make the mistake of paying the one who yells loudest and first. Instead of taking a moment to pray before I pay each bill, before I write a check, before I swipe my debit card, I just plunge ahead. That’s not faith; that’s stupidity. And then I expect him to fix it up, to help me.

I do expect that help, too. Because he has told us time and again that he will forgive us and always be there for us. But I am so scared in the meantime. The fear is so real that it blocks out some of the answers I’m sure that God is trying to send me.

Please, Dear God, hear my plea for guidance, for forgiveness of misjudgments, and for the faith to wait upon your help.