With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Making the sign of the cross, I say,
O God, I am restless until I find my rest in you. I cease from my work today, and I praise you for all your work. This day of rest is set apart by the name of the Father, and the of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
I invite my Lord,
Jesus, you are the resurrection. You are life. There is death and decay all around me. Fill me with abundant life in excess. (John 11:25-26)
Confession
I submit myself to examination before God.
1st BE SILENT: I am in the presence of the living God. Be silent. (silence for reflection)
2nd EXAMINE: Am I willing to commit myself wholly to God? Am I willing to break every sin I am aware of? Will I give up everything that contradicts what God wants for me?
3rd PRAY: Lord, I release the tight fist of my grip. I yield to your way. Let the breath of your Spirit move me where you will, even if I don’t want to go. Lord, my hands are empty. What do you want for me? What is your will? Whatever you want, I will obey.
Word: John 11:17-27
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Meditation
What is God saying in this passage? Try to repeat the substance in your own words.
Is there a word or phrase that jumped out at you? (Pay attention to verbs.) Why does it stand out?
What does God want me to do with this word?
Prayer for Rest
- For physical, mental, and emotional health.
- For times of joy, delight, and leisure.
- For a Sabbath day free from work, tasks, and stress.
- For a holy time of worship.
Prayer
O Creator of heaven and earth, you have made for us a day of rest. You give me times of work and times to cease from that work. Grant me good rest today that I may serve you with vigor tomorrow. Free me from obsessive overwork. I trust you enough to believe that you provide for me even when I sleep. I find my rest in you. In Christ’s name, Amen.