A Prayer about Soul Rest
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. (Ps. 62:5–8 NIV)
Gracious Father, nothing compares with being certain of your love for me. The peace I have knowing I no longer have to perform or pretend with you about any- thing is incomparable. Today, in particular, I’m thankful for the freedom to pour out my heart to you. Because the gospel is true, I don’t have to measure or monitor my words with you. You don’t judge my prayers. You purify them as they meet you at the throne of grace. How I praise you for such a standing in grace!
Here’s what’s going on inside of me today. I feel a restlessness that I cannot re- ally attach to any one thing. There’s a floating disquiet, a nibbling anxiousness, a low rumble of dread that’s just hanging there. It could easily morph into something much bigger if I’m not connected to you in a fresh and vital way.
So today I echo back to you King David’s longing for soul rest, and I make his prayer mine. “Soul, find your rest in God alone! Don’t medicate with anything else. Don’t minimize or supersize your restlessness. Just go to Jesus. Go to Jesus right now!”
Indeed, Jesus, I don’t want to waste energy on the “paralysis of analysis.” I don’t want to spend time navel-gazing today. I don’t want to treat my soul like an onion to be peeled, layer by layer. Whatever is repentable or repairable, I’m sure you’ll show me. I just want you, Lord Jesus. I ask you to bring your centering presence, your stabilizing mercy, and your calming peace to my soul. Kiss my heart with the gospel, and it will be enough.
I do trust you, Jesus, at this time, even as I want to trust you at all times. You are my rock, my salvation, my fortress, my honor, my refuge, and a whole, whole lot more King David didn’t mention in this psalm! I pray today with hope and anticipation.
Amen.