Sacred Rhythms: A Time to Rest with God

By Kay Killpatrick

Are you ready to get closer to God? In a whirlwind society, with fragmented days, extra time spent with God often eludes us. This book nudges readers to cultivate an intentional rhythm of spending time with the Creator more frequently. There are examples of how to construct an environment that will be conducive to contemplation and prayer. Real-life narratives encourage readers to find God in their own stories. Be still and know that God has your back, and He wants to get to know you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664247109

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Copyright © 2021 Kay Killpatrick.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-4711-6 (sc)

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WestBow Press rev. date: 10/20/2021

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The penning of Sacred Rhythms is dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the joy of my heart and King of my life.

May you be blessed as you read.

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Contents

Introduction

Road Map

Chapter 1 The Way of Rest

Chapter 2 Tools for Success

Chapter 3 Living Deep

Chapter 4Rest for Anxious Warriors

Chapter 5 The Sting of Brokenness

Chapter 6 Forgiveness Heals

Chapter 7 Recess for Parents

Chapter 8 A Drink of Joy

Chapter 9 The Grieving Heart

Chapter 10 When Illness Overshadows

C hapter 11 Roots

Heartfelt Gratitude

Notes

Introduction

A while back, I had considered myself to be a good prayer warrior. Any time family or friends were sick or in dire straits, I was ready to rally the troops in prayer. After all, the Bible tells us to pray for one another. It was a good thing.

After several years of trials, I realized that I needed to give more attention to my time of intercession with God. When afflictions came, I tended to say prayers that were short and somewhat predictable. My conversation style for prayer needed a tune-up. I needed a resolve to spend more quality dialogue with God. A chat room was a necessity! Excuses bubbled out of my brain when I neglected to have talks with my Maker. I was a full-time teacher and had a family, and there were only so many hours in the day.

When difficulty struck my family, I was not prepared. These events filled me with much grief. My young brother-in-law died in a head-on collision and went to meet Jesus from a remote highway. He left my younger sister and three children. It all occurred in the blink of an eye. Next, a dear colleague at school lost her battle with cancer. It was heartbreaking. Later the next year, my dad passed away from Alzheimer’s disease, and then two days after that, my precious aunt was gone too. So much happened so fast. That particular period was filled with much sorrow. On top of everything else, I had added stress at work. Affliction tried to knock me down and turn me around. My wheels continued to move me in a direction of perpetual alertness.

Chaos in our lives can propel us to give up or power on forward. I knew that God had always been beside me, even when I gave him less than my best. He stayed alongside my friends and family members for whom I had prayed. He was available and near. Always. There were times, however, when I kept asking, Why is God allowing all these difficult things to happen? I was wallowing in self-pity and surviving on an occasional Bible verse, church attendance, and a bedtime prayer. Something needed to change.

Through my experiences, and as I read my Bible, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to learn a better way of resting in God. I needed to spend more time with him in solitude. An awareness of his moment-to-moment presence in my life was what I needed. I prayed toward this end. At times, hardships suddenly left me feeling cold and frustrated. I had been suffering from a dry faith. I knew God had plans for me, so I started to earnestly pray for God to teach me how to grow my faith in Him. I longed for a more in-depth conversation with my Creator. A better partnership with my Lord is what I knew I wanted. I desired more of Jesus, and I needed rest.

The rhythms of life include regular or irregular patterns of behavior in the way we function and do life. It is the process of living in the echo of each new day. Some of us pay attention to the repeating details of what we do. Others may give little thought to a life pulse and may live in turmoil. People live in connections with others. Our narratives intertwine and become an important part of the rhythm. Share your stories with God and all those around you.

Oxford Languages’ definition of rhythm is a strong, repeated, regular pattern of movement or sound. An example of rhythm is when a new mother listens to the breathing of her baby. This book, Sacred Rhythms, is a call to remember to infuse a conversation with God into the sequence of each day of your life.

In the path of our lives, seconds become minutes, and before we know it, the months become years and then decades onward. The tapestry of our lives involves other people and many fascinating narratives from which we learn. Seek to make the things you grasp from others a part of your conversation with God. Be thankful to him for fellowship and the things that he teaches you through others. Learn to center your mind on the tools God is using to bring you closer to him.

I was made aware that God could do more for me if I spent more meditation time with him. It did not matter how busy I was. I made time to eat and work. I had to make more time to commune with him. So, I did. Now I want to share with you the things I have learned.

Road Map

The intent of Sacred Rhythms is to help you better understand a holy invitation. It is