“The heavens and the earth were completed with everything that was in them. 2 By the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing, and he ceased on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing. 3 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.” Genesis 2:1-3 New Living Translation
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
“Jesus was going through the grain fields on a Sabbath, and his disciples began to pick some heads of wheat as they made their way . . . Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:23, 27
Lord God,
It is Sunday, I love Sunday. But I am able to not do any work on a Sunday. But I need to rise early to attend church (I go to the first service of the day), and fit in all the other things I do. Exercise, visit a friend, catch up on Bible reading plan, occasional prayer meeting in the evening etc.
I wonder about Sabbath. You stopped for a day from the beginning. I have learned the hard way that You know best. You know we get over tired sometimes. Jesus broke mans Sabbath rules by walking and letting His disciples snack on growing wheat on the Sabbath. He knew it is not about keeping the same rules and winning brownie points! It was about rest and well being.
Help me unwind as the disciples must have done walking with Jesus snacking on grain. Still my mind so it is in the moment and not thinking about what to worry about next, or have not done, or could be doing. And help me if I have more time on a Saturday or another day to rest, wait on You and relax from the yoke of chores and commitments. Remind me to make sure there is rest time every week. Lest I forget and I make the yoke heavy or overburden my mind with over thinking.
In Jesus name, Prince of Peace, we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. Help us hand over all our concerns and hopes for them to You..
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Give them times of rest.
For those whose rest is disrupted by shift work or nights nursing or caring for others.
For busy people with many responsibilities to be able to unwind in time off each week.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family as they seek to serve the nation.
For our government and their families. With all that is going on give the clear thinking from You and rest between.
For Ukraine we [lead for an end to war.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For Israel to find a way to peace with all its neighbours.
For those who find themselves eaten up by worry to know Your Holy Spirit and peace.
For our local community neighbours, doctors, dentists, police and schools.
For emergency workers not to be overwhelmed by what they are faced with. Provision for all they need in equipment, water, food, medical supplies.
For ourselves, time to rest and time to consider all that is good in our lives and give thanks, especially for You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 14th January 2024
Cleland Boyd McAfee (September 25, 1866 – February 4, 1944) was an American theologian, Presbyterian minister and hymn writer. He was inspired to write this song after the concurrent deaths of two of his young nieces, caused by diphtheria.
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Lyrics: Cleland Boyd McAfee .