A Prayer to Slow Down and Savor God’s Presence - Your Daily Prayer - December 9
A Prayer to Slow Down and Savor God’s Presence
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:6
Listen or Read Below:
Solitude. It was the focus of that Sunday’s sermon. And I knew as soon as our pastor spoke that sweet word, I would cherish the coming message. My world had been spinning fast for weeks, it seemed. So the idea of even a brief burst of time alone with no noise or distractions was something I knew my soul needed and would deeply benefit from. But what interested me most, as I contemplated ways I had sometimes spent time in solitude—seeking refreshment and replenishment of my mind and body—was that I hadn’t always practiced it like the Lord intended. In such a way that offers true renewal. But that’s what I longed for, so I listened closer.
How about you? Does the idea of some solitude whisper peace to your soul? Or maybe it sounds a little scary if you are more on the extrovert side or have already been lonely lately. Either way, I believe a season comes in each of our lives when we want to escape from the fuss of the fast world, quiet the chaos, and tap into the deep peace our souls desperately desire. And if you haven’t been having this sense, I still believe solitude benefits every single one of us.
But I was reminded that morning that more than just placing ourselves where people aren’t surrounding us—filling our empty space with temporary solutions that are numbing, mindless, or meaningless—we need the solitude of simply savoring the Lord’s presence. The nourishing soul food only he offers. Slowing down, spending time in an isolated space where we can soak in the peaceful presence of Almighty God. The God of provision and protection, comfort and connection, rest and restoration. We need to be quiet and still. Removing the distractions, resting our minds, relaxing every muscle, and releasing the knotted up tangles in our hearts. Talking to the Lord. Listening to the Lord.
I know life doesn’t always lend the liberty of alone time. Though truthfully, we can learn to savor his presence anywhere, which I hope you try today. But I believe as you practice savoring God’s presence in private, and as it becomes a routine habit, this rhythm will become so natural it will begin to flow over into the moments that look and feel louder and crowded. You will know, no matter where you are, how to turn to God in the privacy of your inner heart and thoughts, to tune down the world, and to turn to Jesus. You will know how to seek him, find him, and savor him.
Prioritize solitude in this season. It is there you will find the sweetest rewards for your soul. It is there you will soak in his love, joy, peace, faithfulness, and many more spiritual fruits. And as you keep savoring and practicing this precious time with the Savior, you will begin to find a lingering flow of solitude of the mind. Allowing you to savor the Lord’s beauty and blessings anytime and all the time. Because his presence is everywhere, and it can be savored absolutely anywhere.
Let’s Pray:
Glorious God, You are the greatest gift of time spent in solitude. When I pull myself away from the clamor of the world and come to you in quiet, I find a sweet savoring of your divine and precious presence. Though I tend to get easily distracted and find myself falling back to faulty and fleeting solutions, I know it is in savoring you alone that I find the nourishing replenishment my soul is starved for. Help me prioritize sitting still in silence with you. Help me make this such a common practice that I become equipped to automatically seek you, no matter where I am. Lord, I long to learn to soak in your spirit at all times continuously. And to savor your holy, peaceful, and life-giving presence constantly. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
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Related Resource: Be Still - Advent Meditations
This Advent season can be full and hurried, which is exactly why we need moments to pause and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you space to be with God - and this month, we're walking through Advent Meditations all designed to help you quiet yourself and hear from the Lord. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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