We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service.


WE PRAY: A PERSONAL PRAYER
“I am tired. I am weak. I am worn.” 

“Sometimes, I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain. And then the Holy Spirit, revives my soul again…”

“When you’re weary. Feelin’ small…”

O God, apparently, I am not the only one who sometimes feels depleted and discouraged, burned out and worn out. The songwriter expresses it so well. When that happens, I don’t feel your joy bubbling up inside me. I need to be restored, refreshed, revived.

It’s funny how we always see the Sabbath as a restriction on what we do, when it is really meant to be a gift to us. Not only do we stop our own work and get off our own treadmill, but we recognize that the world can go on pretty well without us, and that you have it well in hand. I saw a bumper sticker that says “since I gave up, I feel better.” It seemed awfully negative to me, God, but now I am beginning to understand. Sometimes, I need to give up running things, and remember that I am not that important. I don’t need to carry the world on my shoulders; you already do that.

So God, today, I will rest in you. In the words of the Psalmist, “restore unto me the joy of my salvation.” (Psalm 51) I will “calm and quiet my soul, like a child is quieted at his mother’s breast.” (Psalm 131) I put myself in your hands. Amen.

KEY VERSES FOR THE WEEK
Psalm 23:2-3a He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” Read the whole scripture for this Sunday’s sermon here: Psalm 23, the Message Translation.

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION
What is it that really depletes you? What is that restores you? What keeps you from getting the restoration you need?

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
This week, we have an awesome presentation as part of our three traditional worship services. The choir and orchestra will lead us in the Chichester Psalms, a musical setting of six Psalms or parts of Psalms, composed by Leonard Bernstein (which, by the way, is pronounced like Burn-stine, not like Bruce Springsteen.) One of them is Psalm 131, which I pray every night when I close my eyes. It is a powerful experience, so please come and join us! I will be sharing about how God restores us when we are worn out and weary.

PRAYER CALENDAR

Sunday, April 17
God, as we worship you today, we give thanks for all of the people in our lives who have brought us closer to you. We thank you for their guidance and encouragement to seek a relationship with you. We pray that you would also be at work within us, to help us guide others to a personal relationship with you. Amen.

Monday, April 18
Faithful God, as we start our week, we ask you to be with us. We pray that you would choose our words this week. We pray that you would help us to seek you before we speak, before we decide and before we act. May all that we do be pleasing to you. Amen.

Tuesday, April 19
Personal Prayer Day
Many people in this world are struggling with broken hearts, broken relationships, broken spirits and physical brokenness. Pray for the people whom you know need physical or spiritual healing. Pray for them by name and ask God to heal them.

Wednesday, April 20
Loving God, forgive me when I speak harshly. Forgive me when I act without love. Forgive me when I don’t put you first. Forgive me when I don’t share your good news with others. Then, O Lord, guide me to do better with these things. Amen.

Thursday, April 21
Personal Prayer Day
Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies and for those who persecute us. Make a list of all of the people who are troubling to you. Pray for them by name. Ask God to be at work in their lives and to change their hearts. Then, pray for God to be at work in your life and to change your heart.

Friday, April 22
Father in Heaven, we lift up to you people who are hungry, thirsty, sick or in prison. God we ask that you would ease their pain and give them encouragement. We pray that you would come into their lives and bless them. Amen.

Saturday, April 23
Holy God, we ask that you would open our hearts to worship you. We pray that you would give us the right words to say at the right time so we can tell other people of your good news. We pray that you would give us the opportunity and the courage to invite someone to church tomorrow. Amen.                                                                    

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