Mercy Road Daily Prayer & Bible Reading ~ Thursday, April 19, 2012

~ Read Leviticus 25-26

Lord God,

I love getting up early in the morning, when the sky is dark and the house is completely quiet and still. Everything is so peaceful, and nothing stirs or moves about. At times, I wonder if this resembles what you intended the world to be, not lethargic, but quiet, tranquil, and still. A place where there is no striving or stress, no problems or pain, just peace. I don't know for certain if that's how you intended the world to be, Lord, but I'd like to so, because you know how difficult it can be to find any sort of peace in this world.

You know how hard it can be to find peace while we watch our friends fight debilitating diseases and painful ailments. You recognize how challenging it can be when those we love are struggling with sadness and despair. You realize how hard it can be to find rest when our relationships are struggling or falling apart. You understand how difficult it is to be content when we feel stuck, underutilized, under appreciated, and undercompensated for the work that we put in. Lord God, you know how hard it is to set aside the stress of life and find peace, yet that's exactly what you call us to do.

You call us to peace because that's how we were intended to live. You call us to find rest in you, because that's what we need. All the strain, stress, strife, and struggle in this life, takes a toll on us, Lord. It wears on our bodies, and tears at your hearts. It makes us tired, cranky, anxious, and fearful. It takes our comfort, strength, hope, and courage and leaves us depleted and drained. We need your rest to be renewed and rejuvenated; and we need your peace, to attain that rest.

Help us, Lord, to rest in you. Help us to celebrate all the great things you have done. Help us to rejoice in the knowledge that the struggles we face are only temporary, while the peace that you promise and the rest, you provide is eternal and complete. Help us to find comfort in the hope that we have, and courage in the strength you give us to face another day. For every day you give us, Lord, is a good day. Every day we arise to see the rising sun, is another day we have to glorify and honor you.

By the grace and for the glory of your Risen Son, Jesus Christ, Amen!