Bits for Sunday, February 7

Our Sunday School class has started a unit on prayer – with a workbook and everything! I actually did this study a little over ten years ago – with another group. I still have the workbook, and I’m curious to see (once this round has been completed) the similarities and differences from the answers of the old workbook. Hopefully I’ll find I’ve learned something!

This morning in our discussion, we talked about different facets of prayer, including…listening.

Gulp.

It won’t come as a great shock to you to know I’m not a great listener. FABULOUS talker. Horrible listener. I can listen when it comes to the people around me. But I struggle to listen to God because He doesn’t talk out loud. Listening to Him requires being still. And…well…I’m too wiggly to sit still and listen.

As they talked about what it meant to be still before the Lord, I thought about what I read in Streams in the Desert last night.

First I have to tell you – if you’ve never used this devotional – you’re missing out. This is one of only two devotionals I’ve read in my life that I believe God had a special hand in prompting. Each time I open the book, it has something specific and timely to say. That is extraordinary.
So when I opened it last night, after the weekend of roadway horror surrounding this part of the country, I found this as the verse of the day: You will not leave in haste. Isaiah 52:12. Now don’t tell me God lacks a sense of humor! :)

But here are some of the words in last night’s devotional:

I do not believe we have even begun to understand the wonderful power there is in being still. We are in such a hurry, always doing, that we are in danger of not allowing God the opportunity to work. You may be sure that God will never say to us, “Stand still,” “sit still,” or “Be still,” unless He is going to do something. This is our problem regarding the Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians instead of allowing Him to work in us.

Boy isn’t that the truth! At least for me! I feel most effective when I’m doing something.

So to just sit…

…and wait….

…and listen…

…is not easy.

But it’s an important part of the praying process. Prayer isn’t all about yapping. It’s about being still and waiting for Him to do His work.

So much to learn…so glad He’s patient.