Today’s scripture: Psalm 143:8-11 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Restless leg syndrome is a condition we didn’t hear much about 10-20 years ago. Now, there are drug commercials about it. What about something called “restless mind syndrome”?
Have you ever woken up with “restless mind syndrome”? I can wake up in the morning and for some reason, my mind never stopped meandering from the night before. It drives me crazy when it happens. When this happens, I just want some peace, and I don’t want to think about anything. It can be easy to allow random thoughts to pass at times, but at others, they get the best of me. This is why praying out loud for me helps keep my mind on track.
Today’s scripture is like a breath prayer for me. A breath prayer is a word or phrase we use to help center us on God, to experience the presence of Christ, or to help us get to a place of peace and submerge ourselves in the presence of God no matter what is happening around us. If you are like me and you wake up to a crowded mind, thinking about all of the things to do that day, or other areas of your life, verse 8 is a great place to start. Wake up in the morning and say:
“God, let me hear your steadfast love this morning.”
With each breath, just say that phrase. After a while, it is hard to not think, “Why is God smiling at me today? What is it that I can do that would make God smile today?” Listening for God’s steadfast love, and thinking about how God sees me helps me to get to a place of peace.
The words are encouraging, and they help refocus and re-center on God. What restless mind syndrome?
Thought for the Day: What is my breath prayer to keep my mind at peace?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.