Brother in Christ

Every one of us can look at our lives and find excuses to put prayer to the side; to say that we are too busy to give God just a few minutes a day.

Between our work, studies, phones, computers and so much more, we spend our time connected to the internet and the noise of this world that we often forgot to give God the time we ought to. We often give God our leftover thoughts rather than the first fruitful prayer of our day. The noise of our modern world can easily drown out the voice of God.

In moments when we are surrounded by noise and the business of this world, we can look to the prophet Elijah for guidance:

“There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD – but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake – but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire – but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound” (1Kgs 19:11-12).

Often, I feel like I can’t hear the voice of God. I can feel like I pray but I never get a response, thus God must not be listening to my prayers. In those moments, it is important for me to reflect on this passage and remember that the issue is not with God, but with me.

Am I turning down the noise of my life so that I can hear God in the silence? Am I remembering that God was not in the loud wind, or the loud earthquake, or the fire, but God’s voice was in the silent sound?

It is a lot easier said than done. I can know I need to turn down the noise and spend some time in silent prayer but knowing and doing are two different things. I can be so used to having noise on, whether it is the tv, a podcast or my phone, I can make noise such a normal part of my life that praying in silence is uncomfortable. Despite how uncomfortable it may be, I know the importance of giving God the space and time He needs.

We all live in a very busy and technologically connected world but to hear God’s voice we have to do what makes a lot of us (especially me) uncomfortable. We must turn off the noise, turn off the technology and pray to God in silence so that we can hear his voice.

Sincerely,

Your Brother in Christ