Lifestyle Prayers

Prayers For Everyday Living

Running On Empty

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Does it feel like you are running on empty?

Maybe you are still tired, and you haven’t had enough sleep, or maybe you are hungry, and you just realized it. Regardless of how you came to this place, you know what it feels like to feel empty on the inside.

Take a moment and stop what you are doing, and think about what you need. When your car is empty, you look for a gas station to refuel, because you know its impossible to go further in your vehicle, unless you replenish your supply.

The same is true for your body. You need to take the time to refuel it by giving it something to eat when you feel hungry, provide it with extra sleep when you feel tired, and set aside time to rest when you feel weary.

Just like the fuel gauge of your car alerts when you need to add gas so that you can reach your destination, your body also alerts you when it needs your attention.

So, why don’t take the next few moments to care for your body, so that you don’t run out of gas on your way to wherever you are going?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

Help us to remember to time to care for ourselves, especially when we are running on empty on the inside. As we take this time to refuel, may we also consider spending these next few moments with you.

You desire to refresh us when we feel weak, encourage us when we feel sad, and to strengthen us when we need direction. May your rest refresh us, your love soothe us, and your peace settle us from the inside out.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for reminding us to take the time to refuel ourselves whenever we feel empty. Amen.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Soaking In God’s Presence

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There are times when we need to get away to enjoy God’s presence. We need to go into our hiding place so that we can seek Him with our whole heart. As we sit and relax, we can give Him our worries, surrender our fears, and lay down our lives before Him.

In this quiet place, we can find rest. We can be still and know that He is God. We can encounter His peace if we are feeling overwhelmed. His peace guards our hearts and our minds, as we share and surrender our struggles to Him. His peace calms our fears, settles our soul, and brings us into a place of absolute love.

He knows our needs and desires to be close to us. He understands our concerns and cares about how we are doing. He sees our responses to situations, and why things have happened. How could have this happened? Yes, even in our disappointment, He is our help in our time of need.

So, may we take time to surrender our lives to Him, knowing that He desires to take care of us. As you enter into His rest today, I have included some soaking music below. Please take the next few minutes to listen to this music, and to soak in His presence.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

I am tired, and I am worn out. I am burned out on religion. I come to you just as I am, for I desire to be with you. Show me your life, and how I can take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—I will watch to see how you do it. I want to learn the unforced rhythms of your grace. Thank you that you will never lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on me. Thank you for choosing me, and for keeping good company with me, because you always know how to help me to live freely and lightly. (Matthew 11:28-30). Amen.

Rest For God’s Servants

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For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

Service in the kingdom is an important part of every believer’s life, whether they are serving their spouse, their children, or even people outside of their family. Believers usually realize that there is only so much of themselves to go around, so when they become depleted, it’s essential for them to find rest. For they cannot continue to give to others what they are not willing to receive themselves.

Every servant needs time to recover from their daily endeavors. They need time to sleep, rest, and relax from the physical, mental, and emotional outpouring of their own lives.

So, if you are feeling weary as a servant, then be encouraged to do those things that will help you to recharge your batteries. If you are physically exhausted, try getting more sleep; if you are emotionally drained, try reading scripture or listening to soaking music; and when you are mentally challenged, ask Jesus to bring you His peace.

P.S. I am also a servant, so from one servant to another, be blessed with the rest and recovery that Jesus of Nazareth has set aside for you to discover.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

I ask you to bless the heart of every servant, for they have laid down their lives for the sake of serving others. May you remove their yokes of burden, so that they can encounter your yoke which is easy and light. Help them to experience your peaceful rest, soak in your amazing love, and be renewed by your everlasting strength. Thank you for calling each one by name, and may they fully enter into your rest which is always available for them. Amen.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10)

Give Yourself A Break

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Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Psalm 116:7)

When was the last time you did something for yourself?

If you have a lot to accomplish, and you start feeling frustrated, it’s a good idea to take a break. During those moments when you feel exhausted, and you have no energy left, its a good idea to take a break. After not getting much sleep, and not making much progress, it’s a good idea to take a break. Do you get the picture?

When I feel like I’ve done too much, I tell my wife I need some downtime. So I come to the computer table, put my feet up on the desk, and visit my site to write another post. This kind of thing is easy to do, I find it very relaxing for me, and it allows me to acknowledge my own needs.

So, what do you need to do for yourself right now? If nothing comes to your mind, then take a break, and listen for your response. Consider what you hear as an invitation to cease from your labor, and to enter into God’s rest.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

Help me to be mindful of my own needs, and to take a break when I need it. Thank you for your great care, and comfort, and how you remind me that I can come unto you whenever I am weary and heavy laden. I welcome your complete rest for my soul. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Rest From Your Labor

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This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

Today, I would like to say “thank you” for your labor is not in vain, because you work unto the Lord. The seeds that you have sown in His kingdom will reap a bountiful harvest.

He sees every act of kindness, as you think of others before yourself. He observes how His mercy and grace is changing your life and making you more like Him. His plans and purposes are being fulfilled, even when it doesn’t seem possible, for He is your future and your hope.

So, take time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the fruit of your labor, for it is well deserved, and it brings glory unto His name. Amen.

Where Is Our Battle?

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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

May you rest, remain and abide in Jesus today. Taking on His yoke of rest, so that He can remove every burden that hinders you. May you take the time to learn from Him, for He is gentle and kind, and His burden (what He calls you to do) is both easy and light. Remember, He is the source of your life, for He is your true Vine, and everything that you need comes from Him. So, as a righteous branch may you spend time with Him, and enjoy His presence with you. Amen.