Daily Prayers for EveningsSample

Chase After Rest

By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. GENESIS 2:2 NIV

How does rest fit into your weekly schedule? Does rest exist exclusively when your head hits the pillow? Do you set aside time to rest throughout the week or consolidate it into one day on the weekend? God commanded His people, "For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the LORD" (Exodus 31:15 NIV). He gave this command to rest after modeling it Himself. After creating the whole world, He rested. Throughout the week, we are busy creating, serving, speaking, listening, giving, and receiving - our days are full of activity and often stress. It might feel like we don't have the bandwidth to rest. But we know that God still commands us to follow His example of rest. Does taking a break from all you need to accomplish come easy, or do you struggle to walk away from work and projects and get things done? What would it feel like to create space for rest in your life? God knows that this will bring us the most satisfying, God-honoring lives.

God, please help me take Your command to rest seriously. Please let me rest well tonight. Don't let my need to accomplish, finish, and succeed keep me from slowing down and resting. Don't let my busyness keep me from spending time with You and finding rest in Your presence. God, thank You for knowing just what I need. Help me to give rest priority in my life. Help me to follow Your example of working hard and resting well. Amen.