Good evening,
Welcome friends,
You're here now and you don't have to do anything except let yourself be held.
Tonight,
You're not striving,
You're not performing,
You're simply resting in the care of the Lord.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in and let it out gently.
Another breath in and exhale slowly.
If your mind is carrying too much,
That's okay,
We're not here to fight your thoughts,
We're here to soften and surrender to the one who never sleeps.
Let your shoulders drop,
Unclench your jaw,
Relax your forehead and allow your body to receive this moment as safe.
Now,
Place one hand over your chest and one hand over your belly if that feels comfortable.
Feel the rise and fall of your breath.
This is your rhythm tonight,
Not rush,
Not pressure,
Not proving,
Just rhythm,
Just rest.
Let's pray softly,
Jesus,
I am here,
I am tired and I am ready to rest.
Now listen gently to the word of God.
I lift up my eyes to the heels,
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip,
He who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed,
He who watches over Israel will never slumber nor sleep.
Take that in,
God is awake,
He is present,
He is watching over you with love.
So tonight,
You can release the burden of being alone.
You can release the burden of holding everything together.
You can let your soul exhale,
Breathe in help and breathe out peace.
Breathe in,
God is with me,
Breathe out,
I am safe.
Now we begin the rhythm of rest,
Arrive,
Arrive in your body,
Feel your head resting,
Feel your back supported,
Feel your arms heavy,
Feel your legs resting,
Your body is allowed to become still.
Release,
Now with open hands,
Imagine placing your worries into the hands of Jesus,
Any unfinished task,
Place them in his hands.
Any conversations still lingering,
Place them in his hands,
Any fear about tomorrow,
Place it in his hands.
You are not responsible for solving everything tonight,
You are responsible only for resting.
Receive,
Receive calm in your breathing,
Receive softness in your chest,
Receive peace across your shoulders,
Receive quiet behind your eyes.
Now rest,
Not because everything is perfect,
But because God is present.
Not because you have earned it,
But because God is gracious.
And now I'll speak a blessing over you.
May the Lord keep you,
May the Lord cover you,
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
Inhale,
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends,
God is here.
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends.
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends.
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends.
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends.
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends.
May the Lord calm your thoughts,
Steady your heart,
May the Lord quiet your nervous system with his love,
May your body soften into sleep,
And may your soul remember you are not alone.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Let it wander back to this simple truth.
God is with you,
Inhale,
The Lord watches over me,
And exhale,
I can rest now.
Good night my friends.
