Today I offer a prayer for rest. I’m not sure about you, but I find the older I get, the more important it is to rest. Rest is a gift from God; exhaustion is part of this broken world’s curse. Let’s praise the Lord, our provider and sustainer, and seek His rest out of obedience to His commands.
Father God, our Generous Provider and Wise Sustainer, You grant us exactly what we need, when we need it, when we’re in alignment with You. Please help us draw near to You, each and every day, for we are weary and heavy laden. You promise us rest, and when we learn from You, our service will be easy and our spirit’s burden will be light. Let us never forget to find quiet and solitary places where we can simply rest in Your presence. May we not overexert ourselves toiling in vain to gain the things of this world, so we’re too exhausted to pursue the things of richer and more eternal meaning. You promise that Your loving presence will be with us no matter where we go, and You will give us the rest we so desperately need. When we dwell in the safety of Your presence, we will lie down and sleep in peace. When we are still before You, acknowledging You as God, exalting You before all of the nations, and waiting patiently for You, we do not need to be anxious or worried. We can come to You in prayer at any time, in any place, with thankful hearts, making our cares and requests made known to You, so that Your peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Thank you for proclaiming a Sabbath day, a weekly gift of rest and permission to set time aside to simply enjoy Your presence. May we always remember to keep that one day per week holy, set apart for relationships with You and Your people. Just as You set the example of resting, so can we intentionally free our minds of troubles. When we know the good way, and commit to walking in it, there will be rest for our souls in that quietness, and our trust in You shall be our strength. Thank you for promising power to the exhausted, and strength to the weak, granting us the endurance and steadfastness to walk in Your ways according to Your commands. We commit to lying down in Your presence, not fearing this world or its troubles, receiving the sweet gift of rest that only You can provide. We praise You for leaving Your peace with us, and we gladly receive it, for You are our Lord and Savior, our Precious Redeemer, our Rock and Shelter in times of trouble, forever and ever, amen.
[Inspired by: Mt 11:28-30, Mk 6:31, Psa 127:2, Ex 33:14, Psa 4:8, Psa 46:10, Psa 37:7, Php 4:6-7, Gen 2:2-3, Ex 20:8-11, Heb 4:9-10, Jer 6:16, Isa 30:15, Isa 40:28-31, Pro 3:24, Jn 14:27]
~ Conqueror in Training