It’s easy to work (or play) at breakneck speed and find ourselves spiritually hungry because we haven’t spent adequate time with God. If you find yourself making decisions without talking to God about it, forgetting to spend time in the Word, or just feeling overwhelmed – then it may help to take time to be still in his presence.
Sometimes it’s not that easy, is it?! I’ve been in those overwhelming moments, too. Here are a few ways you can practice being still before God.
Read a passage that tells you what God is like.
There are a lot of Bible passages that tell us who God is and what he is like. The best part is that this is inspired by God – meaning that’s what God wants us to know about him! Meditate on what you learn about God in that passage to help calm your thoughts and be still in his presence. Here are a few scripture suggestions to start, but just the references so you can look them up yourself:
- Psalm 46 – This is where you’ll find the phrase “Be still and know that I am God.”
- Psalm 104. This Psalm praises God and meditates on His awesome power to create by giving lots of examples of His work.
- Philippians 2:1-11 is a brief yet powerful explanation of what Jesus did for us, declaring that He is Lord.
- Colossians 1:15-20 is another short and powerful description of who Jesus is (God).
As you’re reading, pray and ask God to show you who he is and what he is like. If there’s anything I’ve learned in life, it is that God loves to answer prayers like this. When I was struggling with God and resisting faith, he spoke Psalm 68:5 into my life – one that says he is a father to the fatherless. Has God taught you something about himself? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Take a quiet walk.
Sometimes sitting in quietness makes your thoughts rather loud. Taking a quiet walk can help focus your mind on God. You can talk to God as you would a friend, or you can simply listen for his voice. Remember that God isn’t lofty and far off – he came intimately close to us in Christ. He wants to speak with you. That doesn’t mean you’ll hear an audible voice, but you’ll know when it is him.
As you start your walk, you can pray something simple like “I want to recognize you and quiet my thoughts in your presence, Lord. Will you please help me do that while I walk?” It may not be perfect the first time, but practice will help you rest your mind and feel closer to him.
Find a beautiful view of nature.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements – surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? One what were it’s bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Job 38:4-7
If there is any kind of nature view near you, go to it and think of the Creator as you look. That can be a body of water, distant mountains, a sunset or sunrise, the forest, a pasture; anything that you find beautiful. Grand views help you to be in awe, but sometimes the simple things do, too. The world is wonderfully complex – only an awesome God could have designed it. Maybe you feel that way about your houseplants!
Again, this is a great time for a simple conversation with God. You could take your bible with you and seek God in the words. Or, you can meditate on something true. When I was a young teenager, new to trusting that God is good – I would sit on the edge of a ballfield while the setting sun made pretty colors against the treetops. All I knew to say was, “God, I’m yours.” And that was the most sobering, exciting thing.
Pray in a quiet room.
Everyone is different; what helps one person to be still in God’s presence could be a distracting situation for another. If the other suggestions don’t work for you, try finding a quiet, dim room to pray in. You can sit on a chair or on the floor. As long as it doesn’t put you to sleep, anything goes.
Some churches have a prayer chapel. My college campus had one that was a peaceful place to drop in to pray. If there is a similar option nearby, take advantage of it! It doesn’t make it any more special a place to pray, since we worship in Spirit and truth, but I think the atmosphere created by the dedicated space and all the previous prayers can help you focus on the Lord.
Ask another person to pray with you.
Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that our faith is a totally private matter. In saving us, God made us a part of his kingdom. We are citizens and soldiers for Christ. We belong to one another in a unique role.
- Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
- Matthew 18: 19-20: Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
I encourage you to find people you can trust and pray with them! Ask them to pray with you, to spend time being still before God together. If you are not used to doing that, it can be awkward at first. However, the time you share praying will bring you deeper in relationship with God and with each other.
A word of warning: the enemy will try to stop you.
The enemy tries to get in the way of anything that strengthens our faith in God and our willingness to do His will. You may run into distractions, invasive thoughts, and more. Patiently seek God’s help to overcome them. Remember to resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” James 4:6-8
Conclusion
I hope you’re able to use some of these ideas to help your time with God. To recap, these are the 5 ways to be still before God:
- Read a Bible passage that tells you what God is like.
- Take a quiet walk.
- Find a beautiful view of nature.
- Pray in a quiet room.
- Ask another person to pray with you.
If you liked this post, please sign up for my email list so you won’t miss the next one! How do you like to spend time with God? Let me know in the comments! As always, thank you so much for reading. Hope to see you next time.
With love,
Almost a Walrus
