rest – A Collection of Prayers

September 16

God, our souls rest quietly in you alone, for our hope comes from you, and in your love is our highest joy. Lord, if we have you, we have enough. Give peace to our consciences by your gospel of grace and mercy. Preserve in our hearts that peace which passes all understanding and help us grow in holiness. Strengthen all who are sad or perplexed with the comfort of your Holy Spirit, and show us that our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. For there will come a time when you will bring us to the place of perfect rest, where we will see your face in righteousness, and be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Amen.

Source: Melchior Ritter, 1689, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

Watch Over All Your People

Gracious God and Father,
watch over all your people,
those who struggle with doubts,
those who struggle with the labors of life,
those who sometimes struggle as they seek you.
Calm our hearts with your Word,
and with your dear Son’s promise,
“I will give you rest.”
Pour out your abundant blessings on us,
give us the assurance of your love in Jesus Christ.
Give us confidence as we face the challenges ahead.
Give us health of body and spirit,
and blessings in all things;
through your Son who gave himself for us
so that we could be his,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, April 27, 2024, from an online request.

Us / we may be substituted with a name or names, him / her or they / them.

Our True Rest

Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
reveal your glory to us
in our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that we may lay
our sin and guilt
and all the burdens of life
on him,
and find in him
our true rest;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.