A Prayer About Refreshment
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25
Gracious Father, this promise is well timed because my heart is well primed to take advantage of your perpetual kindness to me in Jesus. When I get a bit or even a bunch weary, it so heartening to know that I don’t have to pretend around you. I don’t have to feel guilty, feign strength, or make excuses. You meet me in my weariness to refresh me, as a loving Father, not to reprimand me, as an irritated or disgruntled coach or judge… and that makes all the difference in the world.
So what am I weary about, Lord? I’m not really sure. I need you to help me sort all that out. It’s probably a combination of things. Though I hate to admit it, I am getting older, and my energy level’s not exactly what it used to be. I know I must make more time to relax, rest and replenish. And then there’s the “war and rumor of war” thing. I never saw the day coming when walking people rather than flying planes would be the delivery system for bombs.
It probably also has something to do with the energy it takes to stay connected to family and friends. Relationships are so complex, Father. No one knows that better than you. How I long for the day when all brokenness will give way to the perfect blessedness of loving well in the new heaven and new earth. How I long for the Day when I will be as lovely as and as loving as Jesus. Hasten that Day, Lord, hasten it…
No more pettiness or petulance… no more hard-heartedness or fragile-heartedness… no more hurt feelings or bullying egos… no more communicating-in-part or conflicting-to-win… no more passive aggressiveness or active indifference… no more innuendo or bravado… or anything else that hides the beauty of Jesus.
Indeed, Lord Jesus, there is no refreshment apart from you. You still cry out in a loud voice for the thirsty ones to come to you and drink. You still call to the weary and heavy laden to come to you for rest. Kiss my heart today with the good news, the fresh, news of the gospel, and it will be enough. Not for a month, or a week, just for this one day help me to love others as you love me. So very Amen, I pray, in your name.