5 Ways Prayer Brings Rest (Genesis 2:2)

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“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” (Genesis 2:2, KJV)

This verse, along with Exodus 31:16-17, reveals that God does not exist in a constant state of striving—He reigns from a place of rest. God is spirit (John 4:24), and the fact that He rested is proof that all spiritual beings need rest. Jesus confirmed this truth when He spoke about unclean spirits in Luke 11:24-26. When an unclean spirit is expelled from its dwelling place, it seeks rest but finds none. Unlike demonic spirits that cannot find rest, all other spiritual beings are designed to enter an economy of rest.

Man is a tripartite being—body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The spirit within man (Job 32:8; Zechariah 12:1) indicates that every human being requires rest, not only physically but also spiritually. Jesus Himself emphasized this when He declared, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-29). This rest is not merely physical relaxation but a deep, spiritual rest found only in God.

Prayer is not just about making requests to God; it is a gateway into His presence, where true rest is found. This means that praying, especially in the Spirit, is one of the ways we enter into the rest of God. Below are five ways that prayer brings rest.

One, Prayer Exchanges Anxiety for Peace

One of the greatest enemies of rest is anxiety. Anxiety drains our strength, steals our focus, and keeps us from experiencing God’s peace. But prayer is a divine exchange where we trade our anxieties for His peace. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Anxiety is a mind warfare tool that the enemy uses to keep believers in a state of unrest. When we allow worry to take root, it weakens our faith. But when we respond to problems with prayer, we gain access to God’s peace, which is beyond human understanding. This peace is administered by the Holy Spirit, for the kingdom of God consists of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). Praying in tongues insulates us from depression, confusion, and anxiety (Isaiah 28:11).

Moreover, Peace is an assurance for every believer for Jesus promised in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” In addition, in Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus advised:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (ESV)

How to Pray for Peace:

• Bring your worries to God and surrender them in prayer.
• Thank Him in advance for His answers.
• Declare Scriptures that promise peace (e.g., John 14:27, Isaiah 26:3).
• Pray in the Spirit—praying in tongues builds an atmosphere of peace (Isaiah 28:11).

When prayer becomes our first response rather than anxiety, we step into supernatural peace—a realm that is insulated from the enemy’s attacks.

Two, Prayer Sustains Joy in Every Season

Did you know that these two words—joy and happiness—don’t have the same meaning? Happiness depends on external circumstances. For example, when you have money you happen and when you don’t have it you become sad. On the other hand, joy is more than an emotion. Joy is a supernatural supply from the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). It is not dictated by external circumstances but is rooted in our communion with God for the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and it empowers us to persevere in prayer.

Many believers struggle with weariness in prayer because they lack joy. But joy is sustained through continuous prayer and thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” For example, Acts 16:25 recounts how Paul and Silas, despite being imprisoned, prayed and sang praises to God. Their prayers mixed with joy resulted in a supernatural breakthrough.

How to Pray for Joy:

• Start your prayers with thanksgiving, no matter the situation.
• Declare joy as your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
• Sing or worship in the midst of trials (Acts 16:25).
• Pray in the Spirit—praying in tongues refreshes and stirs up joy (Jude 1:20).

By maintaining a lifestyle of joyful prayer, we step into divine strength and experience rest even in the face of trials.

Three, Prayer Removes Condemnation

Many people struggle to find rest in prayer because they feel unworthy before God. Condemnation robs us of boldness in prayer, making it difficult to experience the fullness of God’s presence because without faith it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Just as peace guards us from anxiety and joy strengthens us in faith, righteousness grants us confidence in prayer, allowing us to enter boldly into God’s presence. There is a type of righteousness which is a gift from God. Romans 5:1 declares, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justification means being declared righteous before God, not by our works, but by faith in Christ. Justification through Christ brings us into right standing with God, allowing us to rest from striving to earn His favor. See the other 5 types of righteousness that supercharge our prayer lives. 

For this reason, Hebrews 4:16 urges us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Understanding that we are righteous in Christ allows us to pray boldly and confidently. Romans 8:1 also assures us that: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Prayer in the Spirit (praying in tongues) aligns us with our righteousness in Christ, silencing the accusations of the enemy.

How to Pray with Confidence in God’s Grace:

• Confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
• Declare that you are righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Approach God with boldness, not fear (Hebrews 4:16).
• Pray in tongues to build awareness of your righteousness (Isaiah 28:11).

The fruit of righteousness is peace, bringing inner rest that allows us to pray with assurance as supported by Isaiah 32:17 – “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

Four, Prayer Aligns Us with God’s Will

One of the biggest sources of unrest is uncertainty about the future. When we do not know God’s will, we struggle with confusion and doubt. But prayer aligns us with God’s purposes, bringing clarity and rest. Romans 8:26-27 teaches that the Holy Spirit helps us pray according to God’s will, even when we do not know what to pray.

How to Pray for Alignment with God’s Will:

• Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).
• Meditate on the Word to discern His will (Psalm 119:105).
• Pray in the Spirit to align with God’s purpose (Romans 8:26-27).
• Ask God for His will in every decision
• Be willing to surrender personal desires
• Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers

Five, Prayer Strengthens Faith

Faith is essential for entering into God’s rest. Hebrews 4:3 states, “For we which have believed do enter into rest.” When we pray, our faith is strengthened, enabling us to trust God more fully. Jude 1:20 says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

Isaiah 28:11-12 reveals a powerful truth: speaking in tongues allows us to enter the “economy of rest” where the weary are refreshed. Praying in the Spirit bypasses human limitations, strengthening your spirit directly. In the New Testament, this kind of rest goes by three names – peace, joy, and righteousness- as seen in Romans 14:17 states: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

How to Pray for Stronger Faith:

• Declare God’s promises (Mark 11:24).
• Pray in tongues to build faith (Jude 1:20).
• Meditate on testimonies of answered prayers (Psalm 77:11-12).

In conclusion, prayer is a gateway into God’s rest. Spiritual rest is not earned passively but through active engagement through prayer. By implementing these five prayer secrets, you’ll experience:

• Peace that silences anxiety
• Joy that strengthens through trials
• Righteousness that gives prayer boldness
• Alignment with God’s will
• Supernatural refreshing through Spirit-led prayer

By exchanging anxiety for peace, sustaining joy, removing condemnation, aligning with God’s will, and strengthening our faith, prayer becomes the pathway to true spiritual rest. Let prayer be your resting place in God’s presence!

PRAYER FOR REST:

“Heavenly Father, I come before You, acknowledging that You are a God who rests. You are never anxious, never worried, never striving. You rule from a place of perfect peace and dominion. Lord, I surrender my burdens, my debts, my fears, and my concerns at Your feet. You have said in Your Word, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Today, I choose to come to You. I cast my cares upon You, knowing that You care for me (1 Peter 5:7). Bring me into Your rest, O Lord. Still my anxious heart and let me walk in the assurance that You are working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28). I refuse to live in fear, worry, and striving. I embrace Your rest, Your peace, and Your perfect provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DECLARATIONS FOR ENTERING REST:

“I declare that I enter into the rest of the Lord. I will not be anxious, for my God has completed His work and invites me to rest in Him. I declare that I cast all my cares upon the Lord. He carries my burdens, and I refuse to be weighed down by worry or fear. I declare that my heart is still before the Lord. I will not strive in my own strength, for He is my refuge and strength. I declare that I dwell in perfect peace. My mind is stayed on God, and He keeps me in His perfect rest. I declare that my trust is in the Lord. He leads me beside still waters and restores my soul. I declare that I will not labor in vain. The Lord establishes the work of my hands and gives me peace in my efforts. I declare that my steps are ordered by the Lord. I will not be restless, for He directs my path. I declare that I am hidden under the shadow of the Almighty. No storm of life will shake me, for He is my shelter and strong tower. I declare that I do not strive for what I need. My Heavenly Father knows what I require and provides abundantly. I declare that I walk in divine contentment. I am not overwhelmed by temporary troubles, for my God sustains me.”

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