Chose 3 other people to join you in reading: He is my rest. Make copies of this reading for each person in the group.
Reader One: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take what I offer you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my way is easy and my burden is light."
Reader Two: I will come in my weariness.
Reader Three: I will come with my faults, my failures and my futility.
Reader Four: I will come when I can't take another step in the right direction.
Reader One: Yes, come, and I will give you rest.
Reader Two: When I am fed up with life and tired of trying to be good … I will come.
Reader Three: I will come, Lord, and find my rest in You.
Reader Four: When my life looks hopeless and my heart can weep no more, I will come.
Reader One: And I will give you rest.
Reader Two: When I feel mocked and misunderstood,
Reader Three: I will come to You.
Reader Four: When I feel ashamed and alone
Reader Three: I will come to You.
Reader One: Then I will give you rest. For you see if you will only stop, sit and be with me awhile, you will find life again.
Reader Two: Can you show me how to rest in You?
Reader One: Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Reader Two: Can I do it Lord? Will it be hard?
Reader One: I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and with a light heart.
Reader Three: We are tired Lord and worn down.
Reader One: Well then, come to Me and I will give you rest.
Close in prayer
Going around the circle, have each person read one line of the prayer below:
Father, thank you for the gift of rest.
We know, Lord, that whatever it is that concerns us,
weighs us down,
and threatens to destroy us
we can give to you.
Guard our hearts
and give us peace
even when the storms of life rage around us.
We trust you Lord,
and rest in You.
AMEN
