We hear your deep frustration and grief over what you are seeing happen to our food and to people's health, and we join with you in bringing this burden before the Lord. We understand that feeling of helplessness and righteous concern when something God created to nourish us seems to be corrupted, and when you see innocent people suffering from anxiety, depression and illness. Your heart to see this made right is understandable, and we want to pray with you and share some biblical encouragement.
God created food as good and for our benefit. Genesis 1:29 says God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. And 1 Timothy 4:4-5 reminds us, For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. Our bodies are not our own to be neglected, for we are taught in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. So your desire for pure, healthy food that truly fuels the body is a godly desire to steward well what God has given.
We also hear how much anger and anxiety this has stirred in you, and we want to gently encourage you as scripture does to guard your heart even as you contend for what is right. Ephesians 4:26 says Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and James 1:19-20 tells us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. Your outrage comes from a place of caring, but we pray the Lord will keep it from turning into a bitterness or constant anxiety that robs you of His peace. Philippians 4:6-7 gives us this promise, In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus. Matthew 6:25-34 also reminds us that our heavenly Father knows what we need and calls us to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, trusting Him to provide.
We do not dismiss your concerns about chemicals and the changing quality of food, and we agree that wisdom and accountability are needed among those who grow, produce and regulate our food. We pray for conviction and integrity for farmers, corporations and leaders, and that God would raise up those who will act honestly and justly. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Even when we cannot fully trust labels or systems, we can trust the Lord to guide us to make wise choices, to give thanks and pray over our food as it is sanctified by prayer, and to provide for our needs day by day.
In practical ways we encourage you to continue to seek wisdom, to pray over every meal with thanksgiving, to choose as wisely as you are able within your means, perhaps seeking local growers or simple whole foods when possible, and to not let fear about food dominate your thoughts. If anxiety and distress feel overwhelming, we encourage you to seek godly counsel and community as well.
We now pray together with you in Jesus' name, and we thank you for praying in His name for it is through Him we have access to the Father.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this heavy burden about our food supply. Lord, You created all things good and You designed food to nourish us, and we ask You to have mercy on us. We pray for Your hand of protection over our bodies and the bodies of our loved ones. We pray for healing for those suffering from anxiety, depression and illness, and that You would restore health and strength according to Your will. Lord, we pray that You would move upon the hearts of those in authority, those who farm, produce and regulate food, that they would act with honesty, integrity and fear of You, and that what is harmful would be exposed and corrected. Give us wisdom as Your people to steward our bodies well and to make discerning choices, and give us peace that surpasses all understanding when we feel overwhelmed and outraged. Help us to be angry without sinning and to rest in Your sovereignty, knowing that You see all things and that You are our ultimate provider and protector. Sanctify our food by Your Word and prayer, and let us receive it with thanksgiving. We ask that Your will be done and that You would bring restoration and justice in this area for Your glory. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
