He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10a

Since last week, I have been collecting notes of my thoughts for this month’s newsletter.   I had chosen scripture, worked on a devotion-type message, and a list of upcoming events and opportunities, but just could not seem to put it down on paper. Something was missing.

6 am, Saturday morning, January 31st, the newsletter is supposed to go out tomorrow and I have not typed a word. I walked out on the front porch to 10” of snow and it was completely silent. Oh, wait, that is the sound of an airplane flying and then again, the silence. I listened for the morning songs of our neighborhood birds and was greeted with more silence. So, I just sat and listened. I sat and was silent.

One of the ladies in the Centering Prayer Group shared that after our first ten minutes of silent prayer, it wasn’t during the prayer, but after, as she walked to her car that she literally felt months of burden slide off her body and an answer to her prayers. This last week the ten-minute chime did not go off. We were all silent for over twenty minutes. It was hard and seemed so much longer.

7 am, and the sun is rising, there is another inch of snow and there is still silence. I listened for the chirping of birds again and prayed they were warm and cozy. Just as I thought I could hear snow falling, I knew that ten- or twenty-minutes learning to sit in the presence of God is but a blink of an eye. And the hour spent had brought a different atmosphere to this household of seven as a large breakfast was prepared, layers of clothes, snow boots and laundry baskets for sleds were located.

In the silence, God speaks, we may not be able to identify the words, but our spirit knows and we are changed. Peace enters, healing happens, restoration unfolds, and love overflows when we are still and know God.

Centering Prayer Group time will be much different this week. Instead of feeling the anxiety of being still for ten to twenty minutes in a group, there is excited anticipation. If you can join us at 3:30pm on Thursdays, please do so, you will be blessed. 

The Youth and Leaders are participating in a 40 Day Prayer Challenge-40 Days in God’s Presence that began on Jan. 25 that goes out daily as a text. If you would like to be added to the group that is praying ten minutes each day, please let Jessica know.

Lois Shults-Davis  is doing a Facebook Virtual Prayer Time on Mondays that we can all join. https://www.facebook.com/lois.shultsdavis/

I honestly do not know why God continues to bring me back to this scripture for the Centenary Congregation. I am not even going to guess, but I will be obedient and learn to be still, and open to the Spirit. Will you, as well?

Blessings, Pastor Linda