We Are Called to Be Still
by Vicki White
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, all alone, and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father secretly, and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
“Come away with me for a while.” What if God spoke that to you? Would you immediately respond, “Where do You want me to go, Lord?” And, if He answered, would you go there expecting to see Him? That is what happened to me. He told me, “If you will get up early every morning and meet with me, I promise to be there and talk with you.” As I have obeyed that call, first out of sheer obedience, but eventually because my heart craves the beauty and love of His Presence every morning, He has been faithful to His promise. As an added bonus, when I meet with Him, He multiplies my time so I actually get more things done than I could have if I had not given Him that tithe of the first fruit of my day.
Many of us try to spend quiet time each day – we may even feel guilty if we don’t – but when we do, we often feel rushed in those moments as we allow life’s pressures to crowd God out of our minds and prevent us from any real connection. Can I propose that you ask God to transform your thoughts about this precious time He wants with you? Instead of it just being one more thing to do on your checklist, consider the privilege it is that the God of all creation wants to reveal His beautiful heart to you so you can know Him, and grow to love Him, too.
Jesus died to remove the veil so you could enter the Holy of Holies and personally know your Father God as your best friend. It is a priceless privilege, but even more, it is an invitation into intimacy and true friendship with the One who created you. Sitting in quiet stillness with Him is how you access that deep level of intimacy with Him. He wants to be with you the same way you might sit in quiet contentment with a loved one. No need for words or questions, just taking time to be in the same space with the One who loves you. Each day, He’s waiting to welcome you into His heart and reveal Himself in ways that will expand your awareness of His great love for you. He’s waiting. Will you answer His call?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the privilege of being able to know You as my Friend. I want to know You more intimately so I can love You more fully and receive Your love in greater measure. I want to love You so much that my heart compels me to seek You, not just because I know that is what You want. I want to hear Your voice more clearly and enjoy the peace of heart and mind that only You can give me. Forgive me when I begin to think this life is all about me and what I am doing rather than focusing on my relationship with You. Transform my mind, Lord, so that I can experience the reality of Your Father’s heart - the one true love I have longed for my whole life. It is only in truly knowing You that I will find the love, joy, and peace that my heart so desperately needs. I want to live fully aligned with Your will so that Your plan can be fulfilled in my life for Your glory, Lord. I ask all of this, with love, praise and gratitude, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Breath prayer:
In: Draw me nearer Lord…
Out: I want to love You more.