I admire Nadia Bolz-Weber and her honest straightforward brand of belief in God. Her prayer this Sunday speaks to what we all do, the future monster.

God of all things,

We made it another week despite the fact that 7 days ago I wasn’t sure how. So thanks for that.

I have some pretty big fears about the future right now, Lord. I mean, some really catastrophic notions about what might happen. 

If I could ask this one thing – please remind me that this moment right now, the one where the light has just broken the line between ground and sky, when all I can hear is the motor of the fridge and the clicking of that cheap wall clock I got from Ikea, when I am in my robe and half my coffee is still sitting warmly in my mug, is the only thing that is real. 

Bring me back to this moment. Convict me of the fact that there is nothing I can do about the past, and that the days to come are never as real as the day I’m in.  Because those fears of mine are starting to feel like a monster from the future that shows up each day and steals the joy, the peace and the pleasure of the present. And we are in the middle of a global pandemic right now and I need those things, Lord! Help me vanquish the fear monster. If indeed perfect love casts out fear, then remind me that you already love me in the days to come as you always have from the day of my birth to the day of my death.  

This is the day that you have made. THIS day. Help me rejoice and be glad in it.

Amen.