Peace and Quiet...(Talking To God Part III)
Many people see prayer as something we do in a group. For instance, we pray at church, before meals, and with friends. Undoubtedly that is a great thing to do, as Jesus said, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20.
However, as Christians those "group session" times should not be the only time we pray. "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.
The reasoning is that we should not pray merely to impress others because prayer is a conversation with God, and He comes first. As told in the Gospels, Jesus frequently went away for hours to pray to God alone. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35; "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:6.
There are a multitude of reasons to pray alone aside from the temptation to show off to others the fact that you pray, one of which is that the goal of your prayer often is to receive a response from God. Simply put, you need to put yourself in the best position to hear Him.
Take for example the story of Elijah, one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. When Elijah received word that Jezebel, wife of King Ahab of Israel who did not worship God, sought to kill him, he ran and hid. "There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:9-12.
Elijah, one of the greatest prophets in the Bible who had performed miracles too numerous to list felt fear, as we all do from time to time. His need was to talk to God, so God came to Him. Elijah's answer came after the fire in the "gentle whisper", and "When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"" 1 Kings 19:13. It was then God told Elijah what to do. God was answering in the whisper.
Our reality is no different. It is hard to hear a whisper over a noisy sound, but it is easy when we are alone. If God's answer comes in a whisper, make sure you are in a position to hear Him by putting in time praying alone.
And there is no better time to grow closer to God, and learn to hear His voice.
Published by Danielle Joyner Kelley
Danielle Joyner Kelley is an attorney and Christian author, whose writings have inspired people globally. "You bring it all together perfectly and it all makes sense." "You are truly amazing! God is s... View profile
Muslim Women Must Stand Up for Their Rights to Worship in MosquesIn Jackson, Michigan, is a small masjid made from a converted house. Most people would never suspect that this is a place of worship but for the influx of cars in the large park...- Helpful Ways to Prevent SIDS, Sudden Infant Death SyndromeAny SIDS story is such a sad story to hear, and as parents and concerned people we want to research it more and find out everything we can do to help prevent any more lost babies.
Gaines Adams Comes from Humble Beginnings to the Top of NFL Draft BoardsWith the NFL draft coming up in April, it's always nice to take a look at some of the guys who will be household names. One of those names that you're sure to hear during the fi...- Listening to Your Inner VoiceOur inner voice is always silently speaking love to us. We only need to consciously grow in love more to expand the ears of our heart to hear it.
How to Get Your Girl to Listen to You: Five Reasonable TipsFive reasonable tips on how to get your girl to listen to you.
- Want to Pray with Someone? Visit These Prayer Request Websites
- Asheville City Council Set to Hear Stream Buffer Proposals
- Are You a Slouch? The Best Seated Position to Combat Back Pain
- How to Avoid the Traffic Ticket
- Frank Black Wants to Hear the Roar for the Pixies
- The Gentle Whisper
- Visit to Lovely Honeymoon Point at Mount Abu in India
3 Comments
Post a CommentGod hears us even before we pray and knows what we are going to say, he answers prayers sometimes before we pray them,but we must listen.
Thank you Jack!! I completely agree with everything you said. I always say when God is silent he is searching a man's strength and faith. Praise to Him!! He knows how to grow us the perfect way :)
Danielle, this is a great article. You're spot on in saying we need to put ourselves in a better positon to hear. This is right on the mark. I know that everyone goes thru a "dark night of the soul" and that our prayers sometimes seem to bounce off the ceiling. I am almost 60 & have discoverd that when God is most silent, He is most active (but unseen). We only later see what God had been doing and has done. But silence does not mean He is not at work behind the scenes and out of our vision working out all things for our own good (Rom. 8:28). I just love your writings friend. It's good to have a goldy woman like you on AC. Great going and thumbs up!: - )