“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
This fall, several of us at Melville have been exploring a more intentional focus on prayer and quiet time with God. In simplest terms, many of us might describe prayer as “talking to God.” And it is. But it is also much more than that. Understood in its broadest sense, prayer quickly becomes the heartbeat of our faith, the steady rhythm that enlivens our life together. When we commit ourselves to the practice of prayer, we soon discover that it takes on the qualities of a true conversation: talking and sharing, yes, but also listening. Like a walk with a good friend, there is comfort and peace simply in being quiet and enjoying God’s presence.
In the Bible, we find God’s people praying in moments of joy and deep sorrow, when they face difficult decisions, in thanksgiving, and even in sighs too deep for words. God’s people prayed with spoken words, through song, with instruments, in dancing, and more. Jesus himself prayed constantly and often withdrew to pray on his own. If the Son of God lived his life grounded in prayer, how much more do we need that connection with God too?
Sometimes we find ourselves going through the motions, treating prayer as the thing we do to start and end a meeting or event. But the truth of our faith is that prayer is the work. It shapes us long before it changes our circumstances. It opens our eyes to things we might otherwise overlook. It cultivates compassion, softens our hearts, and draws us closer to God and to one another.
When we pray for each other by name, we might be surprised to discover that walls come down, grace grows, and our community becomes just a little more like the family God calls us to be. One of my colleagues recently pointed out that practising prayer, or any spiritual discipline, is a bit like practising forms in martial arts. The repetition of the same motions over and over may seem routine, but over time the muscle memory develops until the skills are there whenever you need them, almost without thinking. Prayer can be the same way. The more we make a habit of turning to God in our daily lives, the more readily we seek that connection, the more clearly we hear God’s voice, and the better we recognise God at work in the world. In all times and in all places, prayer roots us in the truth that God is present and attentive.
Through this Advent season, I encourage you to make prayer an intentional part of your daily rhythm. It does not need to be long or polished. You might choose to follow an Advent devotional or try an app that prompts you to pray throughout the day. And if you are not sure where to start, feel free to reach out. I am always happy to offer suggestions.
This is a busy season, and it is easy for quiet reflection to fall by the wayside. Yet it is that quiet time with God that we most desperately need. In every season, and especially the busy ones, may prayer be the heartbeat that sustains us and shapes us.
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in hope, peace, joy, and love during these weeks of anticipation
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour.
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Grace and peace,
Rev. Bethany McCaffrey
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