Reading
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Reflection
Once a week, I, alongside a few other students at Oklahoma City University, gather every Friday for a time of prayerful discussion. Typically, we look over a few of John Wesley’s 22 Questions, which he and his community used when they would meet for what was called “Holy Club.” My friends and I usually randomly pick the questions to ask, taking turns selecting different ones every meeting. Some questions are asked more than others, but one question is outright avoided.
Question 11 of John Wesley’s 22 Questions asks, “Do I pray about the money I spend?” As a college student, I would say I pray that it somehow doubles and comes back to me! Although my real response would be no. It is so easy to forget about God when we become trapped in the world of consumption. I often think about the money leaving and entering my account, fearful of whether or not I will have enough. We live in a world that is brimming with opportunities to spend, especially on things we don’t really need. If we begin to pray before we spend, we can discern whether it is truly a necessity.
In Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi, we are told to pray over everything. Praying is our way of connecting to God, and in prayer we open ourselves up to influence, change, and healing. If we pray before we spend, we can determine if our desire is a need or a want. When we pray after we spend, we lift up our stress of whether or not we are making the right decision, and we hope that the money we spent is finding its way back to God’s glory. Spending money is easy; spending money prayerfully is challenging. If we find ourselves anxious or afraid about what is in our bank account, we must pray. If we are in need of unending peace and grace, we must pray. I presume my friends and I avoid Question 11 so often because we’re afraid to admit that we’re not. As we know now, even in our fears and worries over our money or anything that brings us anxiety, turning to God will give us peace of mind in Christ.
Prayer
God of peace, we lift up today all of our worries. We pray to you for guidance about what we spend. Guide our choices and quell the storms brewing in our souls. Show us the way to be mindful, O God, so that all of our actions may be glorifying in your sight. Amen.
