Ponderings: prayer

Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Saturday, January 3, 2026

The Sanctity of Silence

Have you ever found yourself in the presence of one who loves to talk and commands a conversation so well that you can scarcely get a word in edgewise? Nothing tries my patience more than listening to someone talk a thing to death, yet that is precisely what many of us do when we pray.

As someone who has kept prayer journals for decades, I am sure I wear God out with my many words. Last year alone, I wrote over 280,000 words in my prayer journal, according to Notability (my journaling app)! This year I am determined to speak less and listen more in my prayer time, trading my prolific and persistent prayers for the sanctity of silence.

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus instructed those gathered, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8, NIV). In the verses that follow, he instructs us how we should pray by offering a simple and concise prayer model:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:10-13, NIV).

In Exodus 14:14, it is written: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” If we believe that God sees us, knows us, and loves us, we can confidently trust him and cast our cares on him, knowing he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

As much as I love my electronic devotional and Bible apps, I have decided this year to read through the Bible using a printed reading plan and a good old-fashioned hard copy of God’s word. Sitting in silence and unplugging from technology allows me to better focus on and digest what I’m reading versus my previous practice of “scrolling through” various devotionals and Bible readings.

God has much he wants to say to us, but how can he get through if all we ever do is talk to him?

Lord, help us to listen more and talk less when we pray. You know our hearts and our concerns even before we speak. May this be the year we really learn to listen, that your truth may penetrate our hearts and guide our steps. Teach us how to pray simple, effective prayers and to trust that when words fail us, your Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). Let us embrace the sanctity of silence, knowing that we will meet you there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturday, July 20, 2024

God’s Word on the Matter

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.”

Psalm 119:169-170 ESV

Lord, there is so much I don’t understand about life these days. So many questions in my mind and concerns in my heart. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. So many of us walk around dazed by all that is happening in our world, our families, the Church, and we can’t help but wonder what You are up to. What is Your purpose in the trials we face, the illnesses we suffer, and the adversities of those we are powerless to help except through prayer?

When I pour out my heart in prayer to You, I am comforted knowing you aren’t offended by my questions, nor those of any who call you Father. “By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20 ESV).

Keep us mindful as we pray, that we are not only to tell You what is on our hearts but even more importantly, pray according to Your Word, to find out what You have to say about the burdens we carry. You promised that we would have trouble in this world, but You also promised us that You have overcome the world (Luke 16:33), and that Your grace is sufficient for us for Your power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Lord, thank You for the power and comfort of Your Word. Thank You that when we don’t know the answers, You do. Make us men and women of prayer according to Your Word, that we might have hope and be prepared to offer that hope to the weary among us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday, October 8, 2021

Still I Wonder

As I settle into my sixties and a season of "early retirement," I find myself wondering how long this season will last or whether God will call me back into the work force one last time. After resigning from my previous job earlier this year to take care of family matters and assist with a kitchen renovation project, I began spending many hours in prayer and studying scripture to try and ascertain what God's plans for my future might look like. I still don't have a clue. I only know that if I am called back into the work force I want it to be in a position that He has uniquely qualified me to fill. For now, though, I am content to be on call for whatever might arise in the course of each day, whether that be transporting a friend to an appointment or taking care of more mundane tasks around the house.

The past few months have been delightful. I am immensely grateful for a closer walk with God and the flexibility to travel, spend time with family, and just "be there" for my husband and kids. Being a homemaker has always been my favorite job, and retirement is something I look forward to, when the stress of being ruled by clocks and calendars becomes a thing of the past.

The prospect of returning to past jobs has no allure for me; I'm not the same person I was when I worked in those particular positions. Still, I can't help but feel that I am supposed to be doing more. I trust that in His perfect timing, God will issue His call in an unmistakable way. Time is short. More people need to hear the Good News of salvation and experience God's love. It is my hope that somehow He will position me in a place where I can be of service to others and a vessel of His love and light to those struggling to find their way in this dark world.

Friday, September 17, 2021

From Limbo Land to Promised Land

A few months ago, I made the prayerful decision to step out of the work force in order to take care of some personal matters, tend to family business, and focus on my relationship with God. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety, or perhaps the restlessness that sometimes occurs when God calls us to another area of service. The benefits far outweighed the apprehension of forfeiting a paycheck. I have enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of having time to travel and spend time with out-of-state family; doing domestic duties and running errands during the week instead of on the weekends; and most especially, spending more time with God each morning, reading and writing scripture and praying about all that is going in the lives of family, friends, our community, nation, and world. That in itself is a full time job, and at times a stressful one!

Still, I have often wondered, Is there something else I am supposed to be doing with my life? Before I officially pronounce myself "retired," is there some place where I am meant to use the skills and abilities God has honed in me these past forty years to love and serve others for his glory? Quite honestly, the thought of returning to work is daunting and makes me anxious. However, I feel a little guilty about not wanting to give up the benefits of "early retirement" which I have so enjoyed these past few months. As Christ-followers, we are commanded to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV). Easier said than done, right?

Lately I have found myself in the familiar and uncomfortable "limbo land" of not knowing what God has in store for me. His word tells me, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). But where, Lord?

God is clearly up to something. I don't pretend to know what that something is, but I am beginning to feel that familiar holy tug on my heart that signals a change is coming. I'm not sure I want it to. I am fighting to hold onto the comforts of home, the flexibility and freedom of the past few months, and the long quiet times I have enjoyed with him daily.

After pouring out my heart to God about my concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams, he answered me through my devotional reading from Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts:

Behold, My hand is upon you to bless you and to accomplish all My good purpose. For this hour I have prepared your heart and in My kindness I will not let you fail.

Only relinquish all things into My hands; for I can work freely only as you release Me by complete committal...As was written of old: "Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5). I will be your sustaining strength; and My peace shall garrison your mind. Only TRUST ME -- all I do is done in love.

My arms are around you, and never have I loved you more! I will make you like a garden of fountains whose streams are fed by the mountain springs.

Bring me all that puzzles you. Many questions need no answer, for when the heart is at one with the Father, there comes an illumination of Spirit that transcends thought. Understanding becomes a state of heart rather than an achievement of the mind.

Lord, not my will but thine be done. Lead me from my limbo land into your promised land.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Would We Even Notice?

So I say to my soul,
    “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed.
    For I know my God will break through for me.”
    Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again.
    Yes, he is my saving grace! -- Psalm 42:11, The Passion Translation

With everything that is going on in our world today -- the COVID pandemic, natural disasters, mayhem in Afghanistan, poverty and hunger, human trafficking, escalating crime, political corruption, and social unrest -- many of us are spending much time in prayer and doing what we can financially to help those in need. Yet our prayers seem ineffective and our money insufficient to provide any meaningful relief. We might even wonder if God hears our prayers.

Many of us are in constant prayer for God to remove COVID from our midst, to ease the tensions and bring peace to Afghanistan, to restore and rebuild lives and livelihoods that fires and hurricanes have destroyed, and to do away with all the evils in our world. To what end? If God were to miraculously and instantaneously remove the scourge of COVID -- something he is totally able to do -- would we even notice? Would we acknowledge his hand in such a miracle and fall to our knees in worship of the one true God, or would we simply breathe a sigh of relief and go on our way, unchanged and unworthy of his great mercy?

Lately, I have wondered how God would have us pray in response to all that is happening in our world. Concerns for family, friends, and our fellow humans across the globe may be overwhelming to us, but they are not to God. Perhaps prayer alone will never bring about the changes and solutions we so desperately long to see. But what might God do if we pause our repetitious prayers and simply begin to worship and place our faith in him? Would he even notice? Somehow, I think he would. In fact, I am convinced that worship is the key to touching his heart.

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work in us (Ephesians 3:20). He is worthy of our praise, even if we feel unworthy to offer it.

Friday, December 25, 2020

Reflections on Christmas 2020

To say that 2020 has been a difficult year is the understatement of a lifetime, certainly of mine. We all have witnessed the unthinkable -- a pandemic that has changed our lives in ways we could never have imagined and taken the lives of those we know and love. It is safe to say that most of the families I know have been touched by sickness, sorrow, and loss. Ours certainly has, but one thing has not changed this Christmas -- the Savior whose birth we celebrate. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Steve and I are celebrating our first Christmas as empty nesters. Our son moved out in July, 2020 and our daughter moved back home to Tennessee Thanksgiving weekend. Because of the pandemic we made the decision not to travel out of town, or even across town, to visit family for Christmas, opting instead for a quiet holiday at home.

Rather than buying for each other, Steve and I decided to bless our kids and those less fortunate, as generously as God's provision would allow. Even though Steve lost his job in October because of pandemic-related downsizing God provided another job so that we would have the resources to give even beyond what we thought was possible. We learned this year that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

Many friends and family lost loved ones this year, even as recently as in the days leading up to Christmas. My prayers that God would provide the comfort and healing they and their loved ones need are coupled with the awareness that I will eventually face the same kind of heartaches that so many have this year. It is not something I fear -- I know the heartaches will come -- but I pray daily for the grace and faith to meet those challenges in such a way that others will know Jesus truly does save and care for his own.

The year we thought would never end will soon be behind us. Sadly the days ahead don't look to bring any meaningful relief. More than ever we all need to press hard into God because he is the only hope we have.

God's word is filled with promises of his presence, peace, grace, power, and provision. If you don't spend much time reading the Bible or talking with God in prayer, then resolve in 2021 to make doing so a daily habit. It won't cost you anything but a little time each day -- an investment that will pay you the rich dividends of a closer walk with God and the peace which passes understanding.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Moving Day

Six years ago my family and I began a two-day journey to the place we now call home. We left behind a church family, many friends, close relatives, and the city where I had lived a lifetime. Apprehensions were few because we knew this was what God had ordained. As we celebrate our new life here and the many blessings we been gifted since our move we cannot help but give thanks to the One who orchestrated it all.

Three months after we changed our address I stepped into a job that became a ministry and a great source of joy. I found a new family and friends who have loved and supported our family in so many ways, and I am blessed beyond measure. We all are. But just as God saw fit to move our family away from everything that was familiar, He has been stirring something inside me and calling me to leave home once more in search of His next assignment.

Today I officially step down from a dream job to move on to whatever God has in store next. The move has been prayed over for many months and the pandemic has brought clarity in the decision-making process as I have had much time to press in to God and really seek His heart. I realize that there are many people who will not understand my decision to leave a job which was such a perfect fit, and I pray they will know that they are the reason the decision did not come easily. I will always love the congregants I served and look forward to maintaining and nurturing the friendships that have been made these past six years.

Time does not stand still for any of us. There is work to be done for the children of God, wherever we find ourselves. The coronavirus pandemic and the protests raging across our nation this very day ensure our job security as prayer warriors on the front lines.

I don't know what the future holds in terms of my work, but I entrust my future and the care of my church family to the Lord who holds us all in His hands.

To my Bethany church family, know that I am stepping away in obedience to God's call -- not for lack of love for our church family or because of any of the challenges we have faced. You are my family and I love you. But God has said it's time for me to "leave home" and move on to the next assignment. I covet your prayers for His provision and guidance in the days to come, and I will be praying daily for you.