Come to me all you who are weary and burdened…I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt. 11:28,29
I really liked this quote I came across in Ragamuffin Gospel:
“A father is delighted when his little one, leaving off her toys and friends, runs to him and climbs into his arms. As he holds his little one close to him, he cares little whether the child is looking around, her attention flitting from one thing to another, or just settling down to sleep. Essentially the child is choosing the be with her father, confident of the love, the care, the security that is hers in those arms. Our prayer is much like that. We settle down in our Father’s arms, in his loving hands. Our minds, our thoughts, our imagination may flit about here and there; we might even fall asleep; but essentially we are choosing for this time to remain intimately with our Father, giving ourselves to him, receiving his love and care, letting him enjoy us as he will. It is very simple prayer. It is very childlike prayer. It is prayer that opens us out to all the delights of the kingdom.” (Pennington, 68-69)
I find this is reassuring and true. The way I like to be with God is just to rest in His presence. Sometimes I will speak to Him, but other times it is so much more enjoyable just to not say anything and to rest my heart in Him. Many times when I begin to spend time with Him, I feel distracted and disinterested, still saturated in the world. But if I ask Him to bring me into His presence, and wait long enough, He often calms my mind and settles me in Him. Then sometimes He will speak to me or reveal Himself to me. This intimate time with Him has become such a pleasure for me, and the favorite part of my day.
Father, thank You God that we can rest in Your presence. Help us to always see You as a joy and a pleasure.
You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psa. 16:11
M. Basil Pennington, Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1980), pp. 68-69.
Thank you for this post. It has been a refreshing reminder for me. I have been struggling with issues recently, and I feel a nudge by reading this post today. Thank you!
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[…] The way I like to be with God is just to rest in His presence. I may speak for a little bit, but it is so much more enjoyable just to not say anything and to rest my heart in Him. Many times when I begin to spend time with Him, I feel distracted and disinterested, still saturated in the world. But if I ask Him to bring me into His presence, and wait long enough, He calms my mind and settles me in Him. Then sometimes He will speak to me or reveal Himself to me. This intimate time with Him has become such a pleasure for me, and the favorite part of my day. (God’s Girl – Resting in Prayer) […]
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I enjoyed your post, “The Voice of God”. Thank you for linking to my blog! God bless you!
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God bless you too – I have subscribed to your blog as well, and I’m hoping that we can become friends. I love the whole feel of your blog – and I’m glad that you liked the post. :)
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Thanks. I desperately needed this word for my heart today. God bless you. Bryan
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Bajanpoet, than you for subscribing. The title of your last post reminds me of the title of the bible study we did over the summer by Priscilla Shirer: “Discerning the Voice of God”. It was really good. God bless you!
Bshelley, May God bless you! “This is what the Lord says…’You are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love you.’” (Is. 43:1,4 NLT)
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You might try Casandra Martin’s “Women Opening the Word” series. She is an outstanding teacher and writer. I have used her material to teach a number of Bible studies which have always been rewarding. She is published by 21st Century. God bless.
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Thanks Bryan, I’ll look for that study. We just started “Satisfy My Thirsty Soul” by Linda Dillow at church. It sounds really great, a lot of what I’ve been writing about, putting God first, having an intimate relationship with Him. Its amazing how God makes all of the things we are exposed to in our life work together so that He can teach us!
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