Click on banner to go to Church home page
Faith and Worship, the love and worship of God

Main links

Church home page Home
Our beliefs, worship on the web, interfaith and come to Church Faith & worship
Perspectives on personal, political and ethical issues Church in society
Mission at home and abroad, social care and evangelism

Mission & care

All Church ministries, parish assistance and team ministry Guide to ministry
Bible stories, children and youth services and safeguarding unit Young people
History, structure, administration, Assembly overview and the Moderator Organisation
News, events, webcasts and image gallery Newsroom
Publications, newsletters, funding, advice and education material Resources
Books, gifts and subscriptions Shop
Interactive map to help get in touch Contact us

For staff, office bearers and ministries Extranet area

 

Worship on the Web

Worship on the Web logo

PRAY NOW: TODAY'S PRAYER

Hospitable - Rest

God rested on the seventh day.

Genesis 2:2 (Revised Standard Version)

Prayer

God,
I'm wabbit,* I'm weary, I'm worn out.
Often it feels as if I'm running on half empty.
Harassed because it seems I've never enough time to do everything.
Frustrated with my lack of energy to do things as well as I'd like,
or within the timescales I, or others, have set.

Meltdown and breakdown,
exasperation and exhaustion,
sometimes feel just one more step, one more task, away.
And yet,
I know, God, you want it otherwise
for me, for my neighbours, for our world.
When I pause to listen to my body, to nature,
to you,
there is a rhythm which jolts us from frenetic
twenty-first-century living.
A rhythm where rest and relaxation,
fallow periods and holidays are built in.
Not add-ons or extras to be earned.

Forgive me God,
when I abuse your creation -
pushing myself and others too hard.
Help me to follow Jesus' example,
to learn to do nothing regularly,
to practise the art of resting mind, body and spirit.
For you love each one of us for what we are,
and not for what we strive to do.

* A Scots word meaning tired out.

Readings

Exodus 23:10-12 Rhythms for the land and human living
Mark 6:31 Jesus invites his friends to rest with him

Prayer activity

Put a date and time in your diary to take some time for yourself to do nothing but
be in a place you find relaxing by yourself.

Prayer for the Church

Those involved in Christian counselling and healing

especially the Christian Fellowship of Healing and other similar groups, and any
local group in your church or area.

Blessing

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
seats in a garden

[Back to Pray Now introduction]
[top of page]

 

home | search | help | latest | resources | shop | contact us
© The Church of Scotland