Women’s Devotional: Prayer of Silence
Author: Joddi-Jay BabcockAs the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2 )
Like the author of Psalm 42, there are times when my soul becomes parched. Disappointments, challenges, and sometimes just plain ole busy-ness make me desperately thirsty for more of God. I get overstimulated by the constant demands of family, ministry, activity, noise, and even technology. I lose sight of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence. He hasn’t gone anywhere, but somehow I have moved away.
That’s when I need to hit the “pause” button, and practice the words in Psalm 46:10.
Silence Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
This is a call to the Prayer of Silence.
As Christ-followers, we rely on prayer. We may faithfully pray through our list of requests. We may powerfully quote God’s Word, believing circumstances to line up with God’s Will. We may speak in our prayer language, knowing that the Holy Spirit is speaking through us. These are all amazing ways to pray. It is also only part of what prayer is. The other part is communing with Jesus
Christ through silence and listening.
The Prayer of Silence is really very simple. It’s setting aside a time and place to be still before the Lord, to rest and be available in His presence. No agendas, lists, expectations, or words. Be still and know…
Simple and yet sometimes so very difficult to practice.
We are conditioned to productivity. We are easily distracted. It’s natural that our prayer lives would reflect that. We may be still on the outside but not on the inside. Thankfully, Jesus offers us more.
Unplug. Unwind. Rest.
Wait on the Lover of our Souls.
We move beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. We connect deeply with our Creator, the One who knows us.
The Prayer of Silence takes practice and discipline. Yet, the richness we receive from being with Jesus is well worth it. In the silence we are vulnerable, and entrust ourselves to His care. We receive His love and are filled. We partake of His presence and are nourished by His life.
Be still, my friends. Be still.
Based off the blog series "Talk Tuesday" Created by Author, Professor, and Pastor Angela Craig.
Devotional Topic Written By: Joddi-Jay Babcock
Joddi-Jay Babcock is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God with over 25 years of church and non-profit organizational experience. She and her husband, Jonathan, reside in Grandview, Washington, where they have pastored Family Life Church for the past 16 years. They raised five children, and are the proud grandparents of twin girls. Joddi-Jay earned her Masters in Organizational Leadership, and is the Executive Director of Life Choices Yakima. In her free time, Joddi-Jay likes to write. Her blog is found at ThriveLeadershipResources.com.