One day, while at pre-op, a doctor was discussing my living will; he was called to see me because I did not want to be resuscitated or kept on life support in case something went wrong. He was also a notary, which was great for me because I was overwhelmed between attending school, working full time, doctor appointments, and the myriad of other responsibilities my ex strategically placed on me. Anything outside of my normal chaos caused more anxiety. I told him that I did not want to live off a machine; it would be so much better that I go into the loving arms of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He smiled and told me he was a believer, and the conversation went to shared testimonies of our Savior. I felt refreshed and reassured after he prayed for me, but he switched gears and said something I had internalized since that day nine years ago. He said, “You have to kick Hurry out ruthlessly!”
I didn’t realize at the moment what the consequences of Hurry could be until he labeled most of my anxiety as Hurry. Hurry is a cruel taskmaster, either internalized from childhood traumas or caused by external forces such as an outside entity that enforces Hurry. The most common real-time hurry are car accidents; every day, someone is in a hurry, and they cause accidents. Hurry is no respecter of persons; the victim and their family suffer the collateral damage. But what about those pesty internal triggers that go off for no reason? Today was one of those days I heard the doctor’s voice internally say when I woke up late and felt a spirit of hurry when I almost rushed through prayer. I stopped immediately and repented. I asked the Holy Spirit to forgive me for rushing through prayer; I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You have to kick Hurry out ruthlessly.”
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.29.11-14.ESV
Sovereign God, You are omnipresent, omnipotent, the Creator of all things, space, and time. You can do all things for Your glory and our good. I acknowledge You in every detail, even the smallest. Nothing is so insignificant that You overlook it or me; I am Your beloved child. I know You delight in small beginnings and plan to bless Your children. LORD, forgive me for the countless times I rushed through prayer and time spent with You. Holy Spirit, give me a heart after Yours, and help me discern when the devil tries to distract me; may no weapon formed against me prosper, but in everything we do, bring You glory and praise; bless the work of our hands, and restore peace and prosperity to us. Cancel every deceitful plan of our enemies and cause them to fall into the pit they set before us. Lead us away from all temptations of our flesh and the world in the name of Jesus. LORD, for the sake of my family and friends, I also declare and decree peace and prosperity within the walls of Jerusalem. LORD, in the Name of Jesus, I ruthlessly kick out the spirit of hurry and every spirit of distraction and discouragement. I declare they have no authority over me or my loved ones. May Your Peace surpass all worldly understanding and rule and reign in our hearts. Give us a gentle and quiet spirit, quick to listen to Your still, small voice, and empower us to do Your will; in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, thank You for hearing my prayer for all the saints, amen.