God has given his people express commands governing the turbulance of
their own hearts and the peace that he offers and expects. None stands
out so markedly as Isaiah 30:15 which declares that the Lord's purpose
is for his people to find quietness and confidence before Him. The
indictment was that his people "WOULD NOT" and therefore had no peace.
Isaiah 30:15 "In quietness and confidence will be your strength and you
would not..."
Isaiah 32:17 "The effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance
forever."
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am thy God..."
It is the mandate of God that we still ourselves before him in order
to find his peace and hear his voice. So thus we have as the first
and most important step in the believer's prayer life to STILL
OURSELVES before the Lord. The New Testament similarly reflects the
same need of mental quietness when it refers to bringing...
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"EVERY THOUGHT INTO THE CAPTIVITY OF CHRIST" - II Corinthians 10:5
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We live in a busy, noisy, tumultuous society. There is noise and
demands for our attention almost constantly every waking hour. There
are no quiet Judean hillsides for us to retreat to daily for prayer.
Therefore we must find an inner solitude in the Lord's presence.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
HOW TO STILL YOUR MIND
1. Find a quiet undisturbed place. Jesus called it a closet of prayer.
That means you are to be alone. "Shut the door" refers to locking out
every distraction and interruption!
2. Kneel in the Lord's presence. (Only under real medical prohibition
should you do otherwise. Kneeling or prostrate are worship positions.)
You need not be uncomfortable but neither should you be lazy in
prayer. Philippians 2:10-11
3. Make your mind stop its commotion and noise! Listen to the din of
confused voices reminding you of duties, tasks and obligations.
Silence them! Your mind is not a noisey playground. It is a
sancturary. Your mind is your's. Make it obey you. 2 Corinthians
10:5 "Bring it into subjection to Christ." Prov. 25:28 "He who has
no rule over his own spirit is like a city with out walls." 1 Peter
1:13 "Gird up the loins of your mind." Take control of your
thoughts!
5. Slow down ! Relax! Refuse to be rushed in the presence of God
Consciously loose the tension of every muscle. Begin with your neck, then
shoulders, arms back, thighs, legs and finally your feet. It won't come
naturally so work at learning to BE QUIET! 1 Thessalonians 4:11
4. Breathe slowly. Inhale slowly! Exhale slowly! At first take long
slow deep breaths. Hold it a few seconds. Let it out slowly.
Control it! You'll be amazed at how it begins to quiet your body,
which in turn effects thoughts too. Remember, if you cannot control
your body, you cannot expect to control you spirit either. 1
Corinthians 9:27 ."..I keep my body under, and bring it into
subjection..."
6. Refuse to go on to the next step until the body and mind have
obeyed you. If they are not subject to your will, neither will the
rest of your thoughts in prayer. If you cannot exercise authority
over your own body and mind how will you exercise spiritual authority
in prayer. If you cannot bring your own body and mind into subjection
how will you wrestle with spiritual forces and win? Proverbs 24:10 "If
thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."
This step is by far the most difficult! That is because it is the most
contradictory to our natural lifestyles. Is it any wonder we do not hear
the voice of God as we would like to. Though it is the most difficult, once
mastered, will bring the most satisfaction. Keep at it. Three minutes is not
much but it seems and eternity when your are
TOO BUSY TO PRAY!.