02/09/2024
๐ Matthew 11:28 says, โCome to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.โ
As Labor Day approaches, many of us are thinking about rest. Whether itโs the new school year starting up, church ministries kicking off, health issues, busy schedules, planning for big life events, or just the hustle of the regular work week, many of us are eager for a day off. The Lord was intentional with giving a Sabbath in His creation of the world. He modeled rest to us. He also reminds us that He is the One in whom we find rest for our souls. (Psalm 62:1-2)
How do you need rest today? Is it physical, emotional, or spiritual? All three? The Lord is more than able to handle our weariness. Today as we come to Him in prayer, may we be reminded that He cares about us and desires for us to have strength from Him. We are human, and we do need rest.
Let's Pray.
โ๏ธ Father, we are weary. We have labored and are heavy-laden. We come to You today knowing that You will give us rest. Please give us rest in You. Our troubles, busyness, and hard work weigh us down. We are asking You to meet us in our weaknesses. Thank You that all we have to do is come to You and You promise that You will give us rest. We know that this does not always mean we will have immediate peace or renewal, but it does mean that You will offer if to us and give us spiritual help in this hard life.
You say in Psalm 91:1, โWhoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.โ God, help me to slow down and stop long enough to dwell with You. Help me to be in Your shelter and find rest in the shadow of Your wing. Where I am antsy and scattered, create a sense of peace and stillness. When I am overwhelmed and discouraged, provide encouragement and hope.
Help me to think about all of the ways that You have been so good. Help me to return to rest for my soul because You have been so good. When it is time to work and be active, give me strength to not labor in vain or in my own strength. Remind me to work from a place of rest. May my time in stillness reset my heart and mind to focus on You.
God, You give sleep to Your loved ones. I pray for physical rest for my body and mind. I can become weary and burnt out if I do not take care of myself. Help me to sleep and rest so that I can be most effective for You when I am awake. Thank You that You care for my emotional well-being. Please help my emotions to settle in Your presence. Give me rest and peace where I have had panic and worry. Still, my heart and mind to think on things of You and not the things of this world. Help me to be still before You and wait patiently for You. Although my mind might be filled with concerns and checklists, remove the chaos and give me focus on You.
God, it says in Psalm 23:2, โHe makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;โ In any areas where You need to make me lie down, help me to humble myself and depend on You. Give me the desire to rest in Your pastures and be by your quiet waters. You are the one who restores my soul. Where I am spiritually drained from evangelism, serving, or walking the narrow path, please breathe new life into the dry bones. Give me a sense of newfound strength and joy in following You. Help me to be sensitive to Your leading, to Your yes and Your no. Guide me each morning by Your Word and hold me each night as I fall asleep. Thank You, Lord. I trust and love You Lord.
In Jesusโ name, I pray,
AMEN ๐
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
(Matthew 6:6)
Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the โlawโ of sinโthis unwelcome intruder in my humanity. What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death? I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to Godโs righteous principles.
(Romans 7:22-25)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
(Psalm 37:7)
โIs anyone thirsty? Come and drinkโ even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milkโ itโs all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. โCome to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
(Isaiah 55:1-3)
The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, โCome.โ And let the one who hears say, โCome.โ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.
(Revelation 22:17)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication 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 minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.โ The people will declare, โThe LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength.โ And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed. In the LORD all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in him they will boast.
(Isaiah 45:22-25)
And he said to them, โCome away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.โ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
(Mark 6:31)
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4:8)
So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.
(Ecclesiastes 2:22-23)
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his nameโs sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalm 23:1-6)
(pic verse)
Then Jesus said, โCome to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.โ
(Matthew 11:28-30)
