What a great reminder!
When I come to You, Father, I know that sometimes it’s on the run, and I just quickly dash off a prayer of need, or thanks, or praise to You.
But it’s in those times when I really prioritize spending time with You that I can calm myself: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually – and truly sink into Your presence, that I am rewarded with a fresh realization and a deeper understanding of who You really are.
Lord, right now, I still my physical body, and ask You to quiet my mind, calm my emotions, open my spirit to hear only Your voice; and be sensitive to only Your presence.
It takes a moment or two, and some deep breaths and reciting this verse to myself. “Be still and know I am God.” Father, Creator, Counselor, Healer, Deliverer, Provider, Teacher, Savior, Comforter, Friend. All these names, these ways You have revealed Yourself to me personally, and more come into my mind as I begin to focus on You, rather than on myself.
As worrisome thoughts enter my head, I give them to You. One at a time. You take them and ease them away from me. You can handle whatever it is, because You are God. I know this. Not just “I-read-it-in-a-book” know it. But “I-fully-understand-and-completely-trust” know it.
You are God and there is no other. You are God and there is no other. If I have trusted in any other gods, Lord, I renounce them. My youth. My appearance. My energy and vitality. My children. Financial security. My sense of what I can do for others. I can’t believe how long the list is of things that I get my sense of identity from. But I lay each of them down. Who I am, my identity, comes only from You. Forgive me for trusting in anything else.
As I read each pairing in these Ecclesiastes verses, I can feel You speaking to me. You lead me to a place in my spirit where the one or the other makes sense in different areas of my life. Thank You Lord, for showing me the way.
Thank You Father, for always being there when I show up to just “be still, and know that You are God.” Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 
These daily Bible readings remain part of my morning prayers and meditation. The two verses the author presents for our consideration today (September 2) gives me so very much to meditate on. Thank you.
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I agree I have just been praying over the Ecclesiastes passage God is showing me so much! With some of the pairings I feel a sense of sadness and having to let go of some thing that I have valued. Like this is definitely a time to refrain from embracing with the coronavirus around. With some of the pairings I see that there is still work to do and feel as if I’ve received my marching orders for the dayAnd for this time in my life. I am praying God will speak to you Bob and give you comfort and courage in your losses. And energy with direction where do you need to move forward. God bless you!
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