A Prayer for Centering and Settling Our Hearts

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Ps. 46:10–11 NIV)

As we bring this week of blogs to a close, I want to end with another prayer written by Pastor Scotty Smith. It his ever-changing world, we need those moments of prayer to quiet an settle our hearts.

Sovereign Father, whenever I hear the command to “Be still,” my default mode takes me back to several elementary school teachers who consistently told me to “Sit still!” They had to, because I was a squirmy, restless little person. I had a hard time staying in my seat. But you’re telling me to be still, not sit still . . . and there’s a world and gospel of difference.

You’re not impatient or frustrated by me. I’m not disrupting your classroom, but I do have a disrupted heart, and you notice and you care. I’m squirmy and restless on the inside. I know that you’re with me and for me. I know this because of everything you’ve done for me in Jesus.

You’re a fortress of comfort for broken people like Jacob and me; you’re a haven of rest, a strong tower of grace. When I’m still I remember that you are God and nothing and no one else is. That’s the best news of this or any day. You have no competition—counterfeits, but no competition. There are demigods, semi-gods, wannabe gods, but only you are God. Kings and nations are not God, for one day you will be exalted among all the nations. The nations are like droplets in your bucket. Storms and environmental disasters are not God, for you will be exalted in the earth. You send the earthquake and harness the hurricane for your purposes.

Neither are my circumstances God, nor the opinions of others; nor is getting older, nor the choices of people I love, the mistakes I make and the sins I commit. In fact, the second most comforting news of the day is that I’m not God, though at times my attitude, prayerlessness, and unbelief would indicate a measure of self-worship. Father, be exalted in the dailiness of my today.

Let me see your hand and heart at work in everything. I don’t want to be a practical atheist about anything, not any little thing. You are working all things together after the counsel of your will. You are working in all things for the good of those who love you, and that means me, but only because you first loved me in Jesus. I probably won’t sit still, but because the gospel is true, I will be still. With palms up in surrender and praise, I enter this day. I pray in Jesus’ excellent and exalted name. Amen.

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 1446-1474). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Enjoy your weekend. Center your life on Him.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 14-15; 1 Thessalonians 3

Quote of the day:  Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honour, and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure, and pays with pain; he promises profit, and pays with loss; he promises life, and pays with death. But God pays as he promises; all his payments are made in pure gold. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Bible Memory: Teach my your way, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe with my whole heart. – Psalm 119:33-34