Are you on the go so much that you don’t have time for prayer? Not quick prayers, but uninterrupted time with God. When you discover the richness of prayer, you’ll know the richness of rest, too.

When we pray, we release our concerns to God. We praise him for who he is. We confess sin. We thank him. We turn our hearts to him. Instead of our tasks becoming our focus, prayer is at the center. The thought of this is restful.

Rest is more than a physical thing. It’s spiritual, too.

I’ve been traveling the past three days and, I must admit, my prayer life has suffered. My practice of rest has suffered, too, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

This morning, I finally had calm, uninterrupted time with God. I was able to pray without a deadline, read the Word slowly, worship God and simply sit before the Lord. It was restful. I felt as if I were breathing again.

This prayer time helped me get perspective. I came away with a better picture of who God is and sensed a greater confidence in him. God was bigger and the world was smaller.

Something special happens when we close ourselves off from life and retreat with God.

When you rest with God in prayer, worries and anxieties diminish. Being in the presence of God chases away those feelings. If they don’t fade away, then you need more time with God. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

Knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that the God of the universe cares for you should chase away any anxiety you have.

Resting with God in prayer also takes the focus off yourself. We get caught up in ourselves with our worries. Prayer is the antidote to that. When I prayed this morning, I began lifting the needs of others before God. Soon I was far away from my own concerns. I was waging a spiritual battle on behalf my friends and family members.

Resting with God in prayer grows your faith. As you praise God for who he is, thank him for his blessings and turn your requests over to him, the Holy Spirit builds your faith. Being in the presence of God without a lot of baggage strengthens your faith.

I don’t know how you’re doing in practicing rest. I’ve missed a handful of days in my 66-day challenge. But I keep coming back, experiencing more consistency in practicing rest. I encourage you to stick with it.

Spend time with God in restful prayer instead of rushing prayer. I know you’ll develop the habit of rest we’ve been considering during our 30-day focus together. Empty yourself to God, casting all your cares on him. Be consumed with who he is. Enjoy quiet fellowship with him. It will change your day.

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Rest. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).