Happy Monday! (And eclipse day, if you are into eclipses.)
We recently completed a series on prayer in Sunday School class. We covered various aspects of prayer and a good number of scriptural references to support them.
I don’t know about you, but my prayer life varies a lot! I pray when I am in bed, when I get up, when I cook, (my husband probably prays then too. Ha!) when I do my Bible studies, when I write, before DP meetings, during DP meetings, after DP meetings and when I am driving. Other people on the road probably wonder what I am doing. It’s a good thing I keep the windows up because I sing along with the radio too.
My prayers range from petitions, questions and a whole lot of gratitude. What I have to purposefully focus on though, is just simply shutting down my mind and listening. Have you ever visited with someone and you never had a chance to get a word in? That’s probably what God thinks about me sometimes. How can He answer us if we never take time to listen? Whatever He has to say is bound to be profound so we should be eager to just listen, and yet it is still difficult. Lord, calm my mind and shut my mouth to hear all you want me to hear and let it fill my heart.
Pray Unceasingly!!
In His light,
Lois
Cultivating Stillness
The Daniel Plan
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” —Psalm 46:10
Studies have shown that prayer improves attention and planning, reduces depression and anxiety, decreases sleepiness, and protects the brain from cognitive decline associated with normal aging. Making requests of God is one important form of prayer—he says to keep on asking and you shall receive (Luke 11:9).
Another essential type of prayer is to quiet yourself and focus your thoughts on the greatness and power of God. He is God. He is all-powerful, all-wise, all-loving. He is here with you right now, waiting for you to become aware of his presence. He knows all your needs and there’s nothing you need more than him.
Be still and meditate on these truths about him. Let your body relax into that awareness. Rest in his presence. Slow down your breathing. Exalt him. He is God.
If you have trouble just sitting in his presence, try repeating a verse of Scripture in your mind. Start with Psalm 46:10.
Food for Thought: In the stillness, you will find rest and God will rejuvenate your heart and soul.