REST AND PEACE

Lord, we so desperately need rest and peace.

We search everywhere and end up with scraps when we need a banquet.

Even in our churches and Christian resources we find

mostly lists of things we should be doing, but no real relief.

Your word promises a rest for Your people and a peace that passes comprehension.

Please show us the way.

Dear one, as always, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no formula or ten step plan that will bring you to rest and peace.

You pray and then wonder why you do not sense the peace that I have promised. But often your prayers are simply a rehearsing of your fears and unbelief. You say words and end with saying amen, but is that prayer?

Prayer is a holy thing. It is coming into My presence with an awareness of who I AM, and who you are. It needs to be an act of humility and surrender marked by a willingness to lay aside your self. Your self-confidence, your self-will, your self-exaltation. You leave all that at the door, take off the tough exterior that expects to be heard and answered, and enter into the presence of One who knows all and still loves you. It is not a fearful reality, but it should cause you to pause in awe that you can stand here.

Take time, even a few moments, to gain an awareness that you are with Me and that I am truly with your and you have My attention. Then speak your heart freely. Praise, thanksgiving, confession, surrender, petition, all of it. Even the silence, the moments where two sit together in fellowship and affection without words, is precious and time well spent.

Your prayers will be different. They will become more and more a reflection of My own heart because we are living in union. You gain assurance that you are praying in My will because of that union, and your confidence to ask great things will grow.

Still, the secret to a life of rest and peace is not found in receiving the answers to your prayers. It is not found in gaining wisdom to understand the things you have questions about. It is not uncovered when you ask for rest and peace like they are things I portion out when asked.

Rest and peace are unfolded to you simply by coming into and staying in My presence. I AM rest. I AM peace. You cannot find them apart from Me, Myself. It is in knowing that you sit in My presence and knowing that I hear your voice and your heart that gives you peace. Even the silence spent together gives rest beyond your expectation. But it requires your full attention, not just words, complaints, or demands directed in My general direction. Prayer is truly engaging and connecting with Me.

You may enter into this place full of questions, and needs, and even anger and confusion, but as you take a moment and become willing to surrender these things in order to see My face, I quiet the storms within. We will talk about all these things, but FIRST you must come to Me. Surrender yourself and seek for My Spirit to fill you. Abide in Me, and I in you, and our union will result in life and rest and peace.

You will still have question, troubles, and days when you lack faith to see a way forward. But keep attentively coming to Me, and you will know that I receive and cherish you. My presence will be the source of your rest and peace.

John 14:6; Hebrews 4:9-10, 15-16; John 14:26-27; John 15:4-5, 7-11; John 16:33;

Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 3:16-21; Philippians 4:4-8