Grace for the Pace of Change - Your Nightly Prayer - September 2
Grace for the Pace of Change
Your Nightly Prayer
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV)
SOMETHING TO PONDER
If you’re like me, you only know one speed: go, go, go! Your calendar is full, your brain needs at least five daily alarms, and you have no clue how to rest. Sure, rest sounds nice, but it produces a fidgety sense that there’s more to be done, that recharging the spirit and connecting with others must wait.
If you’re even more like me, you use the excuse, “Yeah, but I can’t truly rest until _(Fill in the blank)________ is done.”
I can’t truly rest until the house is cleaned,
The texts are answered,
The playdates are confirmed,
The grocery list is made,
The errands are knocked out,
or any other excuse I try.
We could blame today’s culture and modern technology, which have made us feel that we must live at such a fast pace.
After all, it’s a tragic gift to be only a phone call away at all times, to everyone around the world.
It’s a tragic gift to have automated alarms, whether through text or email, that remind you of all of tomorrow’s to-dos.
It’s a tragic gift that we see ten-second clips of the world’s answers for all of life’s problems, whether it’s a better nighttime routine for your newborn, healthier snacks for your toddler, more fulfilling date nights with your spouse, less expensive vacations for your family, simpler cleaning hacks, fancier crafts for your next girls’ night out, or a “perfect” Bible-reading strategy (that you know deep down you won’t master).
Is it any wonder that an all-knowing God would see fit to command that His people, for all of time, remember the Sabbath and ensure that it remains holy (Exodus 20:8-11)?
He sees the stress that we take on before our feet hit the floor. He knows the comparison that steals our souls with the click of an app. This is why His command for the Sabbath is so simple. Better yet, this is why His command for the Sabbath is that it mirrors His holiness.
We are commanded, “... be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, NIV). Of course, we will never master holiness in a fallen world, but our efforts to become more like our Maker ensure that we, like Him, rest. That we recognize when we’ve put in the beautiful work, when we’ve cultivated the gifts we’ve been given, when we’ve sown the seeds and reaped the harvest, when we’ve accepted in God-honoring humility that we can never do it all and be it all, and we simply sit in and savor the comfort of the good, sovereign God who sustains us.
This is so hard for many of us, certainly for me! There’s always one more house project, one more writing deadline, one more dream that I’m convinced I need to work just a little harder for. But each time those dishes are washed, that article is submitted, and that dream becomes a reality, I just find another laundry list piled high with false ideas of fulfillment.
My only rest, not just in my body but in my soul, comes from Almighty God. It comes from reading His Word, talking with Him, coloring with my toddler, cooing with my newborn, swinging on the front porch, listening to beautiful music, holding hands with my husband, and really, truly living as we were invited to in the Garden.
It’s in this rest, where I’m relying completely on the blessings of God for my purpose and joy, that I find holiness.
Holiness can easily seem intimidating, but God never invites us to be intimidated or fearful. Rather, He invites us to be bold as we strive to become more like Him. In this selfless pursuit, we find His holiness. We find rest. We find grace for the slower change in pace. We find glimpses of what our eternal home will be like. And best of all, we find the Lover of our souls.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father, grant us your quiet, your rhythm for how we should live. Help us understand what it means to keep the Sabbath holy, to defy the world’s demands for a fast-paced everything, and to rest in who you are and the gifts you provide.
It’s all too easy to let the constant bombardment of information, reminders, and checklists make us feel like slaves to everyone and everything but you. Protect us from this rat race of lies. Give us the strength to push back against the go-go-go pull that makes us feel like we have to do everything at all times.
Give us pockets of time to rest in your grace, to thank you and praise you for your mercy, and to better understand who you are through your Word, the people you have blessed us with, and your miracles that surround us.
Thank you for the gift of time. May we steward it as you intended, Lord.
Forever, Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. What have I been telling myself I need to finish before I can truly rest?
Is there a task, expectation, or pressure that's keeping you from receiving the rest God freely offers today?
2. Am I finding my worth in what I accomplish or in who God says I am?
Take a moment to consider whether your identity has become tied to your productivity rather than to your relationship with Christ.
3. What is one intentional way I can make space to rest in God's presence tomorrow?
Whether it's a few quiet minutes in Scripture, a walk outside, or simply putting your phone away, ask God to help you embrace His rhythm of rest.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Yolya
Related Resource: Praying Through Psalm 68: When God is Bigger Than Your Problems!
What happens when the giants you are facing—whether overwhelmingly massive or seemingly insignificant—trick you into believing God doesn't care about your daily struggles?
Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for an inspiring devotional on Psalm 68, a triumphant and powerful psalm that celebrates the unmatched bigness of God and reminds us that no earthly enemy or obstacle stands a chance against Him. If this episode helps you connect with God through prayer, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
