WELCOMING REST AND COMPASSION

REST AND COMPASSION

Look at these familiar words  - familiar but so comforting and uplifting, aren’t they?

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

Well Loving God, what hope these words settle in our hearts when the news around the world shows so many conflicts and challenges.  In the of it all we hang onto Your promise that in this day we can experience Your compassion that is new for us today.  You are faithful to be with us and care for us no matter how difficult the challenges are around us. 

We pray today for those who do feel consumed by grief or worry or troubles that seem to be on every side.  Comfort them with Your love.  Lift them up so their experience of Your goodness pushes the challenges of the day to the sidelines.  We dare to pray these words based on Your own words:

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 40:31

I bless us to lean into Your strength today for ourselves, our loved ones, and those who struggle today.  I bless us to be filled with hope, energy - Your strength – so we can do all the good things You have in mind for us today. 

For those who have stumbled in thought, word, or deed, we pray that You will help them to look up to You for cleansing, renewing, and steadying. Help them to move their thoughts from despair and anger to trust and goodness. When they feel like giving up fill their hearts with Your love that perseveres through the toughest challenges. 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

Come, Spirit of God, and be with us in this moment, in this day.  I bless all who are watching to be filled with Your peace that transcends all understanding.  Guard hearts as we remember our example, Jesus, who went through the deepest dark time but in Your plan came out the other side with so much more for all of us than we could ever have dreamed of.  Remind us of the good we saw today and fill our hearts with Your generosity and faithful presence. 

And so we speak to our soul,

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

God has been and will continue to be good to us.  Nothing can separate us from His love today.  Even if there is pain or challenges in our day, let’s live in the joy and settledness of God’s compassion and rest today.