Meeting God in the Quiet
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. 3Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains. 4A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High. 5 God is in that city, and it won't be shaken. He will help it at dawn. 6 Nations rage! Kingdoms fall! But at the voice of God the earth itself melts. 7The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. 8Come! See the fearsome things the Lord has done on earth. 9God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields. 10Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46
Memory Verse
Psalm 46:10
10 Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.”
Summer is my favorite time of year. While I love busy activities like swimming, biking, and building sandcastles, one of the things I love the most happens when the sun goes down. What does a quiet summer evening look like to you? I love to sit on the porch and just be still. I feel the warm evening air on my skin and hear the crickets singing all around me. Nothing big is happening, but my heart feels calm and happy.
Contemplative prayer is like that quiet summer evening. Psalm 46:10 says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God!” Many of your prayers might seem like the busy summer day prayers, full of talking and requests. God loves to hear from you in this way! But contemplative prayer is a special way to sit quietly with God and just gently be still in his presence, much like that calm summer evening.Â
Try this:
- Find a comfortable, quiet place where you can sit quietly for a little while.
- Sit still, and put your hands in your lap.
- Take a deep breath in, and let it out slowly.Â
- Stay still for 30 seconds.
- Think of how much God loves you. Wait quietly without saying many words.Â
How did it feel to be still? Did your heart feel calm or happy? Being still can be hard at first, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Remember, it’s not about saying the right words; it’s about feeling God near and enjoying his presence.
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Prayer
God, help me pause and remember that you are always with me. Thank you for always being with me and loving me. Amen.Related Resources
Lisa VanderKuip
Lisa VanderKuip, an educator in Ontario, Canada, is passionate about creating inclusive schools and supporting teachers in fostering student success. She enjoys collaborating with educators, golfing with her husband, spending time with their children, and embracing the new joys of grandparenting.
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