Sacred & Set-Down Saturdays

Day Seven in “Days of the Week Prayers”

I don’t know about you, but I work hard all week long. Often, on Saturday, my brain goes into hyperdrive thinking about how tired I am and all I want to accomplish next week, next month, and next year. I have to work really hard at just sitting back and enjoying God’s provision and the comfort and satisfaction of a job well done in the laboring in my yard, home, family and ministry. I can only sit on the patio swing for so long before I have to go pull that weed that grew up overnight. 

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:27

I know I can drive my husband crazy. He asks me “can’t you just be still?” To him, Saturday mornings are a time for a good cup of coffee, no stress, enjoying the fact that we lived and worked another week and just taking time to rest. Saturday morning is a good time to take a deep breath and just be.

As I reflect on the 23^rd Psalm, I am overwhelmed with the simplicity and depth of faith in the words of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.

Thank you, Lord, for everything you have provided. Thank you for guiding my path this week. Help me to always be aware of your provision.

² He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Thank you for giving me time to rest. Thank you for the birds that are singing to me and the sun that is shining and for the home you have given me in order to serve you and practice hospitality. Help me to be still and find refreshment in you.

³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.

Help me to rest in you and be renewed today, so that I will be equipped to do the work you have prepared for me and that I will honor you in all I do. 

⁴ Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.

I do not know all of the dangers you are protecting me from, but thank you. And when I get discouraged or overwhelmed, help me to remember that you are with me; you are preparing a way for me and are fighting off the evil that desires to tear me down and hurt me. Help me to know how to walk beside those who are in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. 

⁵ You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.

Help me to recognize the blessings that you have poured out on me and humbly receive all that you have for me, recognizing that I am a Child of The King. 

⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of theLord forever.

Thank you for pursuing me even when I stumble off the path you have for me. Thank you for the promise of eternal life with you. Amen

One of the best ways for me to be able to relax is to “set-down” my plan for the next week. As a former elementary school teacher, I think in “lesson plan” format. I have tasks I need to complete and time slots that those tasks will fill. And if you are wondering, yes, I do have to schedule specific time in the morning to spend in prayer and the Word. In part, I do this because I can either, one, get up and get lost in social media, or two, get up and get going on my “tasks” without first committing them to the Lord. 

Proverbs 16:3 lays it out pretty clear… Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established.

And so, Saturday is when I organize my thoughts, make “my” plans (I put “my” in quotations because God’s ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts).

But He does say to commit our work to Him, and He will establish our thoughts. In other words, His work and thoughts become my work and thoughts. And so, before I begin to “set down” my plan for the week, I ask Him to guide me in using my time wisely, knowing what I need to do, where I need to go, and who I need to minister to. (I also need to add here that I have to ask Him to help me allow those who come into my life to minister to me to do so.)

I actually made a grid with days of the week and time slots. I include daily activities, events for the week and tasks I need to complete. There are items that repeat daily and weekly that are imbedded in the template. Then I add the different things based on the needs for the week. You could even add your menu for the week. 

I don’t stop there. Once my “lesson plan” is complete, I then commit it to the Lord. I surrender it to Him and try to “set it down” and not keep obsessing over it. Once I am better “yoked” with Him, my way seems easier and my load lighter. Then I better prepared to rest in Him. 

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Amen

Please feel free to download the template below (I am working on having better downloads for you) to use in planning your quiet time and your work time. Be sure to commit it to the Lord. Proverbs 16:3

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Pray	Sacred, Silent, Surrender	Ministry, Missions, Marriage	Talking to Jesus	Worship, Work, Washington	Thirsty & Thankful	Family, Friends & Forgiveness	Sacred & Set-Down
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