Stop Praying!
Written by Stacy Landry for the October newsletter.
In our small group on Monday nights, we have started reading a book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. The book’s premise is to challenge believers to go deeper in their love for God. His very first sentence is this:
- What if I said, “Stop praying”? What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon warned us not to rush into God’s presence with words. That’s what fools do. And often, that’s what we do.
When was the last time you just stopped and listened to God? When was the last time you just sat and stared at His divine nature and invisible qualities? You may wonder, “how can we see that which is invisible?” and you would be right in wondering that. In Romans 1:20 Paul gives us an answer, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 NIV).
It is stopping and looking at His creation, the wonder of His handiwork. It is seeing the billions of galaxies in the heavens. It is seeing the awesome design of all His animals on this planet. It is seeing His incredible design of humans who are created in His image. Then it is saying, “WOW!” And breaking into song: “Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; how great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
When we stop and recognize how awesome our God is, then we will respond like the Psalmist did:
- “The heavens will declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4 NIV).
My prayer is that you will make the time for God this day, He has made time for you: “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).