Focus

Be still and rest in the Lord.

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Reflect

Some time, somewhere in my spiritual journey, I decided to pray out loud.  I had grown frustrated with my attempts to stay focused when I prayed silently.  So, I tried talking my prayers to God.  Not only did speaking my prayers bring focus, but I felt I was more deeply engaged in the process.

Because of my experience, the first few verses of Psalm 142 caught my attention.  The psalmist twice says that he makes his prayer with his voice. As important as moments of silence are before God, there comes a time when nothing will do but to speak our prayers.

That time came for the psalmist because he was up against forces that were too strong for him.  He felt alone, hemmed in, and defeated by those who wished to put him to shame.  God was the only one who could rescue him, and the psalmist used all he had – heart, mind, and voice – to call for help.

Perhaps you’re enduring some trouble that has you perplexed.  If so, find your voice.  Pray out loud your intense concerns.  See if something changes in you, even if outside circumstances remain the same.

Pray

God our refuge, give us the freedom to speak out loud our prayers to you so that we may connect more deeply with you and find the strength we need.  In the name of Jesus, who also prayed out loud to you when he was in need.  Amen.

Go with God!