Evening Prayer January 9, 2025: Rest All Around Me

As we embrace the beginning of a new year, our desire for peace and security intensifies, especially in a world that frequently seems unpredictable and unstable. In such times, the Bible offers us a timeless promise: genuine and enduring rest can be found in God. This message reassures us that, despite the uncertainties surrounding us, we can find solace and comfort in the divine.

A Promise of Peace and Security

Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us that our security and peace are not from our own efforts but from trusting in God’s care:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise early and stay up late, toiling for food—to provide for His beloved even while they sleep.”

What Does “Rest All Around Me” Mean?

“Rest all around me” transcends simple physical relaxation, embodying a profound sense of security and peace, grounded in the understanding that you are enveloped in God’s steadfast love and protection. This state of rest entails releasing worries and anxieties, trusting in the divine assurance that God oversees all things.

Scriptural Foundations

These verses underpin the notion of divine rest:

• Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will make your paths straight.
• Philippians 4:6-7: Present your requests to God, and receive His peace that transcends all understanding.
• Isaiah 26:3: Keep your mind steadfast, trusting in God, and experience perfect peace.

Cultivating Rest All Around You

To embody “rest all around you,” consider these practices:

• Let Go of Control: Acknowledge that God is ultimately sovereign over all.
• Surrender Your Worries to God: Release your burdens through prayer, entrusting them to Him.
• Seek God’s Guidance: Make daily Bible study and prayer a priority for direction and peace.
• Practice Gratitude: Focus on the blessings in your life, cultivating a thankful heart.
• Live in the Present Moment: Trust that God is with you now, helping you to be fully present.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I stand on your promise that you will give me rest all around. Your Word says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

I declare that your rest is mine, and I receive it by faith. I trust that you are my Rock, my Refuge, and my Savior. You are the one who grants sleep to those you love, and you are the one who watches over me (Psalm 127:2).

I claim your promise of rest, dear Lord. I receive your peace that transcends all understanding, and I trust that you will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

You have promised to give me rest from the struggles, worries, and fears that surround me. I claim that rest, dear Lord. I receive your peace, your calm, and your reassurance.

Thank you, dear Lord, for being my God, my Savior, and my Lord. I trust in you and your promises.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Confession for the Evening:

• Psalm 127:2: “He grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2).
  I confess that I am loved by God, and He grants me restful sleep.
• Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
  I confess that the peace of God guards my heart and mind tonight.
• Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
  I confess that my mind is steadfast in my trust in God, and He keeps me in perfect peace.
• Psalm 4:8: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
  I confess that I lie down in peace and sleep, knowing that God alone makes me dwell in safety.