“Be still, and know that AM God. ”
-Psalm 46:10
How often do you take the time to be still and let the presence of God wash over you? When was the last time you experienced silence without the buzz of a vibrating phone calling your attention to some need? Have you ever sat in your home without the siren song of the television directing your thoughts to some issue that may or may not be relevant?
It has been said that Western culture is the most difficult culture for prayer because there are so many distractions. This could be true because there are a lot of distractions! But how much has really changed over the past 2,000 years? The Bible affords us a picture of Jesus often overwhelmed by the crowd, the situation, the painful need, and the circumstances.
Soon after feeding the five thousand, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray alone. Mark 6:45-46
Where is your mountainside? Where do you go to spend time with God when feeling overwhelmed?
To be effective in prayer we must learn to slow down, to hear that gentle whisper in the midst of chaos. But this isn’t easy. This can be extremely difficult! The main approach we must take to dialogue with God in the chaos of our culture is to intentionally seek opportunities. During your lunch you can sit in the quiet. You can rise early in the morning before the family or get to the office before it gets busy. You must be intentional with these times by turning off the cell phone, the tv, or the radio. Christian radio is great for a time of praise but even this can be a distraction when learning to listen and truly know God.
By practicing quiet we learn how to listen for that gentle whisper – allowing God to permeate us, to know us. But this discipline comes with a word of warning! Listening for God can bring conviction, challenge, calling, and even judgment. But in the end, it will bring power! After Jesus left this mountainside he walked on water and with a word calmed a raging storm. By conversing with God, we come to realize we are not alone and our faith is made stronger.
Jonathan Sullivan is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, 1201 Western Circle Dr., in Dimmitt, Texas. Small groups meet on Sunday morning at 9:30 and Worship is at 8:30 and 10:30. Check us out at fbcdimmitt.com for more events and times. You belong at FBC.