Our lives can often feel rushed and overwhelmed. With constant responsibilities and needs that press for our attention, there might be very little time we routinely set aside for rest and renewal in God’s presence. And yet, His Word is so clear on how important it is to establish the priority of worship and Sabbath into our week.
God gave us that example as Creator of the entire world, resting on the 7th day after His work of creation (Genesis 2:2). Jesus also spoke of the Sabbath’s significance and came to fulfill it by establishing the very needed work of spiritual renewal and restoration in our lives (Matthew 12:8).
He continues to invite us to come to Him to set aside the worries of life and find renewal and peace in His Presence. It’s truly a choice, many days, to give Him that priority time and remember how much we must rely on Him. But we need to keep showing up and remind one another that we’re in this life thing together.
The Bible is filled with reminders of the blessings of our worship to God and of the strength and unity within the community of the local church. Don’t ever think your presence in worship doesn’t matter. God sees you, and He loves you unconditionally. He promises every day to give strength to the weary, help to the needy, and healing to the broken.
A Sunday Morning Prayer to Help Focus Your Heart on God:
Dear God,
It’s been a long week. We need you now more than ever. We ask that you would direct our hearts and minds towards you, and fill us with your Spirit, bringing refreshing, renewal, peace, and joy. You remind us in your word that you are faithful to carry our burdens. You tell us that you will renew our strength, and you promise to give us rest as we come to you.
Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independently of your Spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds and for allowing pride and selfishness to wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distanced from your presence.
Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways and your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Thank you that you had a plan to redeem. Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, you are close to the brokenhearted, you hear our prayers, and know our hearts. Thank you for your daily, powerful presence in our lives, that we can be assured, no matter what we’re facing, your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care.
We give you praise and honor for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever, for your lovingkindness endures forever.
“Shine your light in us, through us, and over us.”
Help us never to take for granted this huge gift of love you have offered on our behalf. Help us to be reminded of the cost of it all. Forgive us for being too busy or distracted by other things, for not fully recognizing what you’ve so freely given, and all that Christ has done for us. Help us to cease striving and to remember again that you alone are God. We choose to press in close to you today and to keep you first in our hearts and lives. May we walk in your wisdom and purposes, may we stay strong and true to you.
We pray for your protection over our lives, our families, and other believers. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy – that you would be a barrier over us and that we would find refuge in you. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.
We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you.
Shine your light in us, through us, and over us. May we make a difference in this world for your glory, so that your purposes would stand. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. May we reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.
We praise you, and we bless you oh Lord. Thank you that you reign supreme and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ!
In the powerful Name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.
