STOP
Have you ever felt forgotten? Ever felt forgotten by God? Have you ever wondered just how long it will take for your prayers to be answered? Have you ever felt that no one is listening to your prayers? This type of feeling is normal. However, it shouldn’t stop us from praying. We will never understand the timing of God, and he wants to hear from you. It’s in those moments that we need to pray more. So, when you go to be with God, there’s literally nothing better for you to do than to just simply pause and let Him speak to you. Sit for five minutes with the creator, rest and pray to Him and lay it all down.
Try starting with this:
Lastly, imagine all of it, your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, the expectations, your agendas, your to-do lists as simply a list in a planner that can be done another day. We can rest in Him, knowing He has got it all taken care of with His loving hands. He’s already written out your plans; we just need to wait on the Lord.
EXHALE
Next, breathe. Breath in…and out…in…and out. Close your eyes to everything around you. God is as close to you right now as the breath in your lungs. Find peace in this thought. When you are ready, pray this simple prayer a few times while still focusing on your breathing.
As you inhale pray, “I will sing to the Lord”
As you exhale, pray, “For he has been good to me”
LOOK
Let’s look at the word of God for you today. When God speaks, it’s important for us to pay attention. Read these words slowly and carefully. Read it a few times if necessary. Notice which words or phrases stay with you. Read the whole Psalm for full context.
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my fores will rejoice when I fall. BUT I will trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”(Psalm 13 NIV)
ASK
What stood out to you? Highlight/mark it in your bible. What three parts do we see in this psalm? When have we at first questioned God? When have we, like David, wrestled with our thoughts and each day have sorrow in our heart? Do you feel like there is an enemy triumphing over you daily? After questioning God, do you ever put your requests to him? Do you ever cry out, “Look on me and answer?” No matter the amount of questions and requests, the response is:“But I will trust” We might have to wait, but our response needs to be that we will trust in His unfailing love. Our heart should still be rejoicing over our own salvation, our own freedom from chains. And as we wait on the Lord to answer us, why not sing of the times that he has been good to us.
HEAR
What is God saying to you? Listen to hear his still small voice. Quiet your mind and search your heart. Now pray: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” You are waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit. Don’t rush this. Based on the scripture you read today, God’s words to you, is there anything God is asking you to do? What is he telling you about your relationship with Him? Read the scripture again if you need to. God is speaking to you through it. Let him. To finish up your quiet time, simply talk to the Lord. Start a line of questioning that begins with “how long…” Ask him questions and tell him what you need. End your time with the Lord like this: “BUT I will trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”
"Psalm 13" by Shane and Shane live from 2006. Amazing how they can take David's words and put them into song form, modern for today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eLMr6ZUDQo
