Letting Go of What You Can't Control - Your Nightly Prayer - September 29th
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Alisha Headley, Crosswalk.com
Letting Go of What You Can’t Control
Your Nightly Prayer
By Alisha Headley
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7
SOMETHING TO PONDER
There’s something about nighttime that makes everything feel heavier. During the day, distractions keep our minds occupied—the hustle, the scrolling, the conversations, the meetings, the meals—busyness fills the space. But as soon as the world goes quiet and the lights go out, thoughts tend to turn up—the what-ifs, the fears, the uncertainty about tomorrow, the need to fix everything, and wrestling with thoughts of all the possible outcomes.
The enemy loves to whisper: “What if it all falls apart… and you’re not in control…” Especially at night, when the world around us has quieted down, the enemy infiltrates our minds with thoughts like these, and these thoughts lead to worry and anxious souls. But friend, the beauty is: the Lord left us with His Word, which is the cure for our anxious minds. And tonight’s Scripture reminds us that we don’t have to control it all or worry about the outcomes of it all. That’s the heart of 1 Peter 5:7. This short verse is more than just a sweet-sounding suggestion. It’s a divine invitation to stop worrying and stop trying to control what you can’t control. It’s a lifeline for our anxious souls, especially in the stillness of the night.
Let’s break it down:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him…”
This isn’t a gentle laying down of your worries—it’s a throwing them. The Greek word for “cast” means to hurl, toss, or fling with force. Not to handle delicately. Not to hold on just a little longer. But to get those anxieties off of you and onto Him. The verse says to call them all, all your anxious thoughts, worries, and what-ifs. Meaning every single one. Not just the big ones. Not just the ones you think God has time for. He wants all of them. And He is big enough to hold them all. The ones keeping you up tonight. The ones that you silently struggle with and hold in. The ones you’ve been carrying for years.
“…because He cares for you.”
Don’t miss this part. This is why we can cast them. Because we’re not bothering Him. We’re not overwhelming Him. The God of the universe cares for you—not just in a general sense, but in the most personal way. He sees your heart racing when the bills are piling up. He hears the sobs no one else does, wiping away every tear. He knows the weight of what you’re carrying. And He cares. Don’t miss that: He cares for you and everything you are carrying, large and small. When your anxious thoughts start coming up, that’s your cue to hand it over and to remember who’s actually in control.
Tonight, instead of carrying it into another sleepless night… cast it. Let the pillow catch your head and let God catch your heart. Release the thoughts trying to run ahead and let go of the weight that was never yours to hold. He never sleeps—so you can.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
As the noise of the day fades away, I find myself holding things that are too heavy for me. But Your Word says to cast my anxiety on You – because You care. And I trust that you do. So tonight, I choose to let go. I release every worry, fear, and burden into Your hands. I can’t fix it all, and I don’t need to—because You are in control. I give you what I can’t fix. I release what I can’t control. I surrender what I don’t understand. Calm my anxious thoughts. Quiet the noise in my mind. Help me trust that You’re working, even when I can’t see it. Thank you for being my peace. Tonight, I let go—and rest knowing You’ve got what I can’t carry. And thank you for never getting tired of my casting. Thank you for carrying me—over and over again. Thank You for being the God who never sleeps, so I don’t have to stay awake worrying.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON
1. When you think of “letting go,” what emotions rise up? Fear, Frustration, Anxiety?
2. Do I truly believe God cares for every part of my life—or just the big things? Do you say you trust Him, but then your actions show that you still try to control your circumstances, trying to manage them alone?
3. What past situations has God already carried you through when it felt out of your control that prove He can be trusted?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Jason Strull
Alisha Headley is a writer + speaker who has a desire to meet the everyday woman in her everyday life with biblical truth. Stepping into her true calling, she left the corporate world behind as a former-financial VP to love on her family as a stay-at-home wifey + dog mama, while also being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Healing from a chapter of life consumed with lies she once believed about herself, she is inspired to point women to Christ to experience the freedom + power to overcome those lies with the truth written in God’s word. In her free time, Alisha enjoys road trips around the country, working out so she can eat her favorite foods, and creatively styling her outfits with a craft for fashion. Alisha is a proud wifey and dog mama living in Scottsdale, Arizona.
You can follow her blog by visiting her website alishaheadley.com or connect with her on facebook + instagram.
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
