The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

“The Beauty of Stillness” by Mikki Phillippe, Sept/Oct 2025 Herald, p. 42

I don’t think I’m alone when I say I have a problem with productivity. I put a lot of pressure on myself to stay busy, to do things that matter. If I’m not busy, I often beat myself up, and therefore I don’t give myself permission to rest.

We are so busy—feeling and acting like the responsibility for running our daily activities, our teams, our jobs, or the whole world is on our shoulders. But Jesus was able to relax. He may have had a more important job to do, yet he had the wisdom of balance and knew when to be still and take a nap.

Our lives may feel busy and packed, but we must give ourselves grace and be still. How can we keep going if we don’t take time to rest? Our peace is at stake if we can’t bring ourselves to desire stillness (or at least a little less noise).

“A Blessing for a Good Pause” by Kate Bowler, Duke University professor, podcaster

This is the moment. I can feel it.
It is the microsecond pause
before the habitual override
that sends me into motion again.
Barreling ahead instead of paying attention
to what my body is trying to tell me
about its limitations,
to what pulls on my mind,
to your spirit’s wisdom, so hard won.

I’m here, now, in the blessed in-between,
the transition phase that isn’t anything yet.
it’s a pivot point that would be a shame
to waste again,
with mindless scrolling
or what is happening in the news?

Right.
Stop.
Stay.

This is the sacred space of the nothing-yet,
a place where I can become aware
that you are pulling at me, tugging at me.

Be present with me here,
in these whirring seconds,
at the tiny crossroads that is this moment,
slowing me long enough to wonder:
Is that you tapping me on the shoulder?

All right. I’m listening.

Prayer Phrase

“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Sea of Light

Quiet and center yourself. Ask for God’s healing and guidance as you enter this time of prayerful presence. Close your eyes, breathing deeply and calmly. Imagine that you are floating in a beautiful sea of light that rises and falls with each cycle of your breath. The golden light of this sea buoys you up, so you float effortlessly. Waves of light carry and wash over you, bringing wholeness and peace. Rest in the sea of God’s love, then offer a prayer of gratitude.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.