A Prayer About Refreshment

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jer. 31:25 NIV)

Well another week is over and I want to share a prayer with you for the weekend and pray that it will encourage your heart. I am loving this book of Gospel-centered prayers written by Pastor Scotty Smith:

Gracious Father, I am like a baby bird in a nest before this promise, with my mouth wide open. I am weary. I haven’t fainted yet, but I am weary. It’s heartening to know that I don’t have to pretend around you. I don’t have to feel guilty, feign strength, or make excuses.

You meet me in my weariness to refresh me as a loving Father, not reprimand me as a disgruntled coach. You meet me with the gospel, not a scorecard. So what am I weary about, Lord? I’m not really sure. I need you to help me sort all that out. It’s probably a combination of things.

Though I hate to admit it, I am getting older, and my energy level’s not exactly what it used to be. I know I must make more time to relax, rest, and replenish. And then there’s the “wars and rumors of wars” thing. I never saw the day coming when walking people rather than flying planes would be the delivery system for bombs. My weariness probably also has something to do with the energy it takes to stay connected to family and friends. Relationships are so complex, Father. No one knows that better than you.

How I long for the day when allbrokenness will give way to the perfect blessedness of loving well in the new heaven and new earth. That day cannot come a day too soon. We look forward to an eternity of no more pettiness or petulance; no more hard-heartedness or fragile-heartedness; no more hurt feelings or bullying egos; no more communicating in part or conflicting to win; no more passive-aggressiveness or active indifference; no more innuendo or bravado or anything else that hides the beauty of Jesus.

Indeed, Jesus, there’s no refreshment apart from you. You still cry out in a loud voice for the thirsty ones to come to you and drink. You still call to the weary and heavy laden to come to you for rest. Kiss my heart today with the Good News, the fresh news of the gospel, and it will be enough. Not for a month, or a week, but just for this one day, help me to love others as you love me. I pray in your faithful name. Amen.

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 7399-7407). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Isn’t that powerful? I pray that this weekend you will be refreshed  body, soul, mind and spirit. Thanks for joining me on the journey. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick and originator of the Freedom Fighter blog

Team YOU: Jeremiah 11-12; Proverbs 26; 1 Timothy 6

Motivations: Never underestimate the importance of simply being physically present in the place God wants you. You may not be asked to perform some dramatic ministry, but simply being there is a ministry. Warren W. Wiersbe

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 2:5; Level 2: James 2:1-5

Powered Up:  The minimal prayer accompanying many projects in the church may indicate that what is being undertaken is simply what human beings can accomplish pretty well by themselves. Richard Lovelace