Rise

Psalm 4:8 — In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for You alone Lord, make me dwell in safety.

When I rise,

I come before You.

With my first words,

my first thoughts,

I fall on my face

at Your feet;

I do not want to live this day,

apart from You.

As temptation swarms,

waiting for me like a lion,

I turn from it,

to face You;

I refuse to give in

to anything that takes me from You.

As decisions surround me,

swirling about like a mighty wind,

I kneel before You;

only Your will

I seek -

nothing else will satisfy my heart.

As worries descend upon me,

slithering towards me like a snake,

I recall Your word;

I breathe in Your Spirit,

the peace of knowing who You are,

and what You call me.

As fatigue settles in my flesh,

covering me like a blanket of stone,

I meditate on Your promises;

I call to mind my final resting place,

and consider it joy to carry on for You.

When I come to rest,

I will return to You.

With my final words,

my final thoughts,

I will close my eyes at Your feet;

I will rejoice

that I will never live another day

apart from You.

Amen.