October 16, 2003
Quiet Times With God
Quiet, contemplative prayer is a place of rest – an escape from the stress and weariness of everyday living. Here you are hidden away with God in the secrecy of His Garden where you can shut out all your cares and concerns. Take some deep breaths, “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything” (Psalm 46:10 The Message).
Talks with God may take many forms. Prayer is not always talking; it is meditation, listening, and/or writing. Keep a prayer journal, record your precious moments with the One who knows you best, but loves you most. Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. You wrap yourself in light as with a garment; you stretch out the heavens like a tent and lay the beams of your upper chambers on their waters. You make the clouds your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind (Psalm 104:1-3).
Make up your mind to meet with the Father daily, praying and studying the Scriptures in sweet communion with the Holy Spirit. God yearns to reveal His heart to you. If prayer is drudgery to you declare Psalm 42:1-2, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? In these quiet moments with Him your soul finds liberty – your heart vibrates with joy. You soul will magnify the Lord, and your spirit will rejoice in God your Father throughout the day.
In times of prayer, God will give revelation and bring about personal transformation; your daily roles will take on vitality as your need for intimacy is fulfilled in the Secret Place of the Most High. Declare your love for Him – my Beloved is mine and I am His. With boldness affirm that the Love of God is reigning supreme in your life – at home, at work and at play. The Peace of God goes with you and the Joy of the Lord is your Strength.
God isn’t looking for perfectionism. He is looking for those who will walk after the Spirit, not after the flesh. He yearns for the sound of your voice, and invites you to come confidently and boldly to the Throne of Grace where His mercy and grace are available for your every need.
Have you been waiting a long time for your prayers to be answered? Have you grown weary and are you tempted to give up? Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. His desires will become yours.
Submit to the loving Father who cares for you and watches over you carefully. He gives you strength to face disappointments and heartaches. He causes all things to work together for your good because you love Him and are called according to His purpose. He gives you the strength to face your fears, which fall helplessly behind you.
For God so loved the world that He gave…He gives you His power and His ability to fulfill your destiny in spite of mistakes. His Word lights your pathway! Our God is an awesome God!
A Prayer of affirmation from Psalm 63: O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. My Beloved is mine, and I am His. His banner over me is love!
If you don’t have a set time for fellowship with the Father, ask the Holy Spirit to give you His time for quiet meditations and prayer. The Father is calling His children to come away with Him.
Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2003
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.