Come to Me!
January 8, 2023 in Today's Prayer by TGV
Matthew 11: Prayer Guide/ 40-BSG-11B (Matthew 11:28-30)/ Theme: Come to Me! Hymn: Draw me Nearer
Key Text: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30, NKJV)
Opening Remarks: When God met with Moses in the wilderness, He told him that He would bring “rest” to the children of Israel out of bondage (Ex. 33:14). Here, Christ, the new Moses, promises “rest” to those who labor and are burdened down. Why should the weary and the heavy laden come to Christ? Because Christ will give them “rest.” Those who accept Christ, surrender their lives to Him, and abide in Him will find peace and quietude. Nothing can make them sad, knowing that Christ (by His presence) will make them glad.
Beloved, Christ will give “rest” to the struggling, brokenhearted and despairing soul. No person has gone too far for Christ to inject His rest into him—if the person will only call upon Christ! This invitation is for those burdened by their own spiritual bankruptcy (Mt 5:3), worldliness, sin, and guilt to “come” to Christ. In the gospel of John, Christ has promised, “whoever comes to Me, I will never drive away.” (John 6:37b, NIV). Would you “come” and open your heart to Christ now as we pray?
Values to Build On: Obedience, Faith, Humility, Prayer –(drawing near God).
Invitation: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22, NKJV)
Promise: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)
Prayer: Father, we thank You for Jesus Christ—Our Burden Bearer, Redeemer, Healer, Comforter, and Deliverer. I thank you that You can provide all we will ever need and more. Our problems are sin, pride, and faithlessness. Help us to make the right choice today: by responding positively to Your call and “Come.” Help us to acknowledge who Christ is, repent our sins and surrender our lives to Him. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Benediction: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21, NKJV)