Praying the Word
Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy—Exodus 20:11(ESV)
LORD God, in both the Old and New Testaments there were strict laws about what could and could not be done on the Sabbath and there were severe consequences for breaking and violating those laws. Thank You God, for sending Your Son Jesus who came to fulfill the Sabbath’s day purpose for us. Though He was criticized and judged for the things He did on the Sabbath—because they did not receive nor believe Him to be from You—they could not realize that Jesus was actually fulfilling the purpose of the Sabbath which was to provide blessings for Your people.
To this day, Father, even with our busy lifestyles and there is so much to do we are to observe a Sabbath day (Heb. 4:9); we are to observe the Sabbath and keep it (Deut. 12:5), and we are to delight in the Sabbath day (Isa. 58:13) and not deplore or disdain it.
Today, we are challenged to etch out time to spend with You on this special day You provided and it’s tempting to let so much interfere and come in between us, yet there are still special blessings You reserve for us when we spend time in worship. May we also look forward to the time in our week where we can stop and draw close to You, no matter what our House of Worship looks like. Whether it be in a traditional place or from our sickbed; in the woods under a camper shell or sitting beneath a cross in the sanctuary.
Help us, O Lord to continue to keep the Sabbath day, to set apart one day in our week and make it holy: a time to worship You. Thank You for the blessings You deliver to us through our time of worship; the blessing of peace, strength, renewed relationship, forgiveness of sins, hope and healing for our body, mind, and spirit; every blessing that comes to us as we are reminded of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
Thank You Father God, for the great privilege to enter Your presence in worship. Thank You for making provision through Your Son Jesus, that we, an unholy people can enter Your holy presence. May the lyrics of the old, old hymn ring in our heart each Sabbath and refresh us,
Open now Your gates of beauty;
Zion, let me enter there;
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessed is this place;
Full of solace, light and grace!
I pray, bless me through the Sabbath worship Lord. In Jesus’ most holy and gracious name I pray. Amen
For Those Who Journal
How do you observe the Sabbath? What is most meaningful to you?