Father,

I am praying today asking for your wisdom around my rest.

Even when I make room to rest, my mind is going a mile a minute thinking about my work or things that need to be done around the house. And many times, I don’t feel like I can rest until I’ve checked off everything on my to-do list.

I feel guilty “not doing anything” when I know there are things that actually need to get done.

So, I need your help. Jesus gave us an example of what it meant to make room for rest.

When he needed to separate from people and his ministry work, he did. He instructed us that the Sabbath was made for man, and that I am in control over how I enjoy it. And you, Father, modeled our need to rest from our work when you created the heavens and the earth.

Rest is important, and I ask you to help me to rest well. Show me the days and times to step away from my work in order to refresh myself spirit, soul, and body.

Help me identify the ways I enjoy rest and the activities that either drain me or fill my cup.

Give me the courage to protect my times of rest from people and temptations that lure me away from it.

Grace my family to make room for our unique rest rhythms.

And give me the tools I need to quiet my mind in order to lay my work aside for a while.

I welcome your sweet times of recreating myself.

And I surrender my body and soul to you, exchanging my toil for your easy yoke and light burden so that I can rest well.

I love you. Thank you Father.

Amen.

Scriptures

Psalm 127:2

Mark 6:31

Hebrews 4:9-11

Matthew 11:28 – 30