Cast Your Cares on Him Who Cares
Your Nightly Prayer for Apr. 21, 2025
by Amanda Idleman
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Imagine what it would feel like to truly let go of the things that are binding you up with anxiety and fear. To release the control that falsely gives you a fleeting sense of security. To trust God because you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he cares for you. How freeing would this be? How much lighter would you feel? How much more easily would you find rest?
The good news is this is something we can do with the help of the Holy Spirit, even if it's just bit-by-bit prying your tight-fisted fingers off of the things that you feel shackled to. For me, I feel I only seem to know how to let go slowly, mostly only after my illusion of control gets shattered and I have to come face-to-face with my not-enoughness. Thankfully, God does not put conditions on this casting ritual. He accepts our cares and our prayers even when we feebly come to him after exhausting ourselves.
You and I are invited tonight to bring what we have and what we feel we need to Him. Running, limping, crying, whisper-praying, or shouting, he accepts any form of communication. Bring your needs to the one who is able and rest more fully, accepting that he is God and we are not. We can trust his sovereign goodness to reign in our lives when we cast our care upon him. We know that this is true because he cares for us.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Jesus,
I humbly bring you my cares. The care I am carrying for my family, my workplace, my relationships, my community, my church, and for all the things that worry me that are happening in your world. I trust you with these burdens because I trust that you care for me. You care for every one of your followers and chase after them day after day with your goodness and mercy. Father, even when I doubt, help me to trust. Even when I try to take control of my circumstances again, remind me that you are sovereign and always working in my life. Give me sweet rest as I relinquish all I have and all I need over to you.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Imagine God physically taking your cares upon himself so you no longer have to carry them. Then, take several cleansing breaths (breath in for four and out for six) and enjoy the lightness you are experiencing.
2. Consider the things that are hardest to trust God with. Write down why that may be the case and ask God what beginning to trust him with these things would look and feel like.
3. Remember that God cares for you. Consider some ways that you have experienced God’s care and goodness, and medicate on this as you end your day.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sam Thomas
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