How do you put concerns "in God's hands"?

[nobody]

Another way I’ve heard it said: lay your worries at the foot of the cross. How do you do this?

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

Many saints have said

“Pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends upon you.” meaning trust in God and do what you can. If you are doing this, you need not worry because God will take care of you.

 

[nobody]

I understand that, when it is clear and obvious what work should be done. However, when it is not so clear, and I have to make a decision, it seems that others say that I should pray, and “recieve” some direction from God. I don’t seem to hear any directions, and I don’t feel “at peace”, like others say I should feel when I am following God’s will.

 

[stbruno]

If you need a structured way of doing it…Try the Divine Mercy Chaplet. marian.org/divinemercy/chaplet.html

It all begins with a leap of faith. And if I could do it, you should do it handily. It’s when we try to manipulate the outcome, that we get things all tangled up. Let Go and Let God!

He is already right beside you…just open your heart and listen. May God bless you!

 

[Asbestos_Mango]

I second that.

The Divine Mercy chaplet is a great meditation for handing things over to God.

Also, I’ll pass on some great advice from the priest I made confession to the day before Theophany.

When something you don’t feel able to deal with come up into your mind, pray to Jesus, “Lord, you take this, I can’t handle it.”

 

[dulcissima]

Sometimes I will just pray without any intentions, because I just have no idea what it is that I should be praying for. Then I just try my best to handle any changes that come about in my life in the way that seems to follow what I know that God wants (this would be following Church teaching.) Right now there is so much going on in my life that it seems like it is so important for me to stick close to Christ and to the Church that he gave us, so I am trying my best to follow all Church teachings and go to confession. I think there is a lot of peace to be found in obedience, in hushing my own selfish needs and worries so that I can hear God if he is trying to give me direction. This kind of reminds me as well, it is no big mystery where we can find Jesus when we are looking for him. Just like he told Mary and Joseph when they had been searching for him and they found him in the temple. He told them “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” So, if you are looking to Jesus for guidance, look to the Church.

If you are being obedient to God, if you are following the path marked out for us by his Church, then what worries are there really? It is only when we want to go our own way, handle things our way, avoiding emarassment for ourselves or not holding others accountable when they ought to be, that we feel such burdens as worry or anxiety. Do what is asked of you by God and know that you are in good hands.

 

[justbeinfrank]

Another way I’ve heard it said: lay your worries at the foot of the cross. How do you do this?

I usually just pray and tell God something like, “Lord, thank you for the crosses you have given me, but I cannot bear them without your grace. I offer this [problem/uncertainty/joy/situation/whatever] to you for [some intention]. Help me to rejoice in this opportunity to show you how much I love you. Help me always to do your will and give you glory.” Or something like that. I think the idea is just to make a fiat.