At the beginning of time, God ordained that there would be six days for working, and one for rest. This rest is called the Sabbath, or a time to be still. Relationship with the Father is not just for the Sabbath, but for every day. This relationship is strengthened by prayer.
Prayer is the vehicle by which we can come before the Lord to be in His presence and hear His voice. Although church services are typically one day a week, prayer should be constant—just as our relationship with God should be.
A Prayer for Your Sunday:
Father God,
Thank You for this Sunday. Lord, we come before you first and foremost with hearts of gratitude. You have seen us through another week, and we stand at the threshold of a fresh week, full of new beginnings. Lord, help us start this bright embarking with You. Stir in us a deep desire to come into further relationship with You. Remind us that it is not solely by going to Sunday service that we worship and come before You; rather, it is through the daily communion with You through relationship and prayer.
Highlight to us how we may be obedient to Your call and heart. Embrace us with Your love, oh Lord, for we desperately desire to know You and to feel Your love around us. Give us a hunger for Your Word and truth, oh Lord. Help us begin our week this day in preparation through contemplation and connection with You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Preparing for the Week
Just as we make calendars and to-do lists to plan for our weeks, we must prepare for our weeks spiritually as well. This is not merely a once a week job, but dedicating Sunday or a Sabbath day to the Lord for preparation will produce great fruit.
We can bring this about through time in prayer, time in the Word of God, and time in His presence. Listening for His voice and being ready to receive His peace will bless our relationship with Him.
Come to the Father with a grateful heart ready to receive His Spirit today. Know your relationship with Him is not confined to the walls of a church building; it stretches as far as the east is from the west. It is His delight to know you.
Verses for Your Sunday:
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” (John 14:23)
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16)
Rest in Him this day, soak in His presence and peace to the full. Know He loves you, He is for you, and He is ever wanting to reveal His heart to you.
We are creatures made for relationship, and we were designed in every way to know our Creator. Just as He was with Adam and Eve in the garden, so He longs to reveal His heart to all His creation. May your Sunday be blessed beyond words within His arms.
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