RIVERSIDE PRAYER

From Angela Gilbert -


Are you tired? Overwhelmed? I know the feeling!
God says: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” -- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
Doesn’t that just make you go “whew, give me some of that.”
I truly can, now, on occasion, feel that kind of freedom, peace and rest. But, I have to let go of control, which is all about fear: fear of messing up, fear of the unknown, fear of embarrassment, fear of just not being in charge of the entire universe. Hello? Not our job. God’s job!
Ways that help me to “get away with Him” and “take a real rest” are:
~Listening to worship music (sometimes loud enough so that I can’t hear the kids!)
~Reading the Bible or looking at/working on my scripture cards
~Doing a devotional with my child
~Praying with my child on the way to school
~Recounting all the ways I’ve failed in my flesh and that God has succeeded
Your ways may be similar, or very different. I encourage you to find the ways that work for you, and to regularly practice them. God wants to provide this for you, as one of His many priceless gifts.
In doing that, if any of you “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace,” let me know! I’m still working on that one.
Dear Lord,
Please help us to rest in You, to see You in each day, in all kinds of ways. Thank You for giving us ways to get to know You better and to share our burdens with You. Thank You for being strong enough to handle it, and loving enough to want to. Thank You that we don’t have to be in charge of the universe! Please help us to breathe deeply and enjoy what You have in store for us, knowing you are leading the way.
Amen.