Rest

Look for maximum results in minimum time. Aim for faster service. Work toward higher productivity. Get more done in less time. The more you do, the more you’re worth. These ideas are promoted as desirable in our culture, but, in contrast, the Bible consistently prioritizes rest. 

Focusing on Sabbath

In the opening chapters of Genesis, God created the world and then rested. In doing so, He established a pattern of rest following work. In Exodus, God established a pattern of Sabbath rest for the people both in His commands and in His sending of manna on only six days out of the week. With this pattern, God invited His people to trust Him and rest in His provision. But in reality, God’s people often forfeited rest because they did not trust Him. 

Following Jesus’ Example

In chapter five of his gospel, Luke tells us that even though the crowds gathered to hear Jesus and be healed, Jesus often would withdraw to desolate places and pray. There was no shortage of ministry opportunities for Jesus, yet he did not continually remain with the people. He went away alone and prayed. If Jesus prioritized time alone in prayer with His Father, how much more should we?

There are two key aspects to Jesus’ habit. First, Jesus withdrew to desolate places. Second, He prayed. If we want to follow His example, we need to find a place of solitude and withdraw from the busyness of life. This task is often challenging, especially if you live with other people. 

I have spent most of the last 20 years in a house with five other people. There is little quiet and solitude when homeschooling four children and tending to a busy home. As my children have started marrying and leaving home, I have found times when I am home alone, but that was rarely the case for years. During that season, my best option for solitude and prayer was to get up in the morning before everyone else. Honestly, that time became my lifeline for spiritual and emotional health. Even now, I still prioritize that time with God in the morning. It is crucial for helping me to have the proper focus and maintain a spirit of rest even when things are busy.

Finding Places of Solitude

I recently had the opportunity to go away for an extended time in prayer. I spent an afternoon at a nearby retreat with tiny prayer cottages on their property. The express purpose of these cottages is for people to be able to withdraw and spend time in prayer. The cottages are tiny, but they are beautifully and thoughtfully designed. Each cottage has a chair, a little desk, and even a small fireplace. They are a wonderful place to retreat from the world’s cares and seek the Lord in prayer. While visiting such a retreat may not be possible regularly, finding simpler ways to periodically retreat to a quiet place at home or outside to have time in solitude and prayer is essential. 

Facilitating Resources        

During my visit to the prayer cottages, I used some helpful tools that can be used during any daily prayer time. One tool is a simple acrostic that identifies four categories for prayer. The word ACTS can be used as a reminder for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Using these categories, we can focus our prayer time on adoring God for who He is, confessing our sins, thanking God for what He has done, and asking Him to supply our needs and those of others. I have used this prayer method for many years and have found it very beneficial. 

Another tool I recently discovered and find helpful is called the wheel of prayer. It was presented in a book by Dick Eastman titled The Hour That Changes the World. This wheel is divided into twelve segments that guide you to focus on the following categories: praise, waiting, confession, Scripture praying, watching, intercession, petition, thanksgiving, singing, meditation, listening, and praise. The wheel also includes relevant Scripture references for each category. Each wheel segment can be the focus of prayer for five minutes, so praying around the wheel takes approximately one hour if time permits. Otherwise, the wheel can be used in a shorter time frame, such as one minute per segment, which would total only twelve minutes in prayer.

There is an endless supply of resources to help guide personal prayer times. The first step is to carve out the time to pray. Jesus is our example, and He prioritized time alone with God, away from other people. Such times of rest and prayer can refresh us for what lies ahead. Resting does not mean being idle or lazy, but as we work, we must rest in God and His provision to meet all our needs. For our spiritual health, we would be wise to follow Jesus’ example and withdraw to rest and pray. Ask the Lord to help you find time to withdraw to a quiet place and pray this week. He will answer your prayer because He longs to hear from His children and grant them rest. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28