{"id":4782,"date":"2018-10-01T11:11:53","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T16:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sarahdamm.com\/?p=4782"},"modified":"2018-10-01T11:11:53","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T16:11:53","slug":"be-still-experiencing-gods-nearness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sarahdamm.com\/index.php\/2018\/10\/01\/be-still-experiencing-gods-nearness\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Still: Experiencing God’s Nearness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Resetting the Rhythms of Life!\u00a0<\/strong>I’m so glad you’re here!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Today, we begin this 31-day series by renewing our prayer life.\u00a0<\/em>Maintaining a consistent prayer life is something we all struggle with from time to time, which is why it is a great place to start. And it will help reset everything else, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Since we are resetting, or renewing, our prayer life, let’s start with 10 minutes (or whatever is realistic to you). What’s key here is having consistent, meaningful time with God. Think quality, not quantity. Pray at your pace. This is your time with God!<\/em><\/p>\n

Note: If you are interested in receiving FREE printables each week to go along with the themes, sign up for my email newsletter by clicking\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Be Still<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As I kneel down before the Lord, I notice nothing but the strength of His presence. His beating heart draws me into His embrace. I feel His strong yet gentle touch, as my head rests on His chest. His arms envelop me tightly, and I am wrapped in love and security.<\/p>\n

Life has been so busy lately. And my priorities have gotten out of whack. Why have I waited so long to come to God with my burdens? Pressures from the outside world, too many to-dos on the list, and increasing feelings of overwhelm caused me to drop the most important part of my life: my relationship with God. For some reason, I decided to carry the load by myself. I relied on my own strength.<\/p>\n

But I didn’t end up feeling accomplished. I didn’t even get much done. Why? Because I was relying too much on me<\/em>. Relying on my own strength caused me to grow weary and feel alone.<\/p>\n

Sitting here with God, though, I begin to relax. My restless heart begins to still. He assures me that I am not alone and that I don’t have to do all of this by myself.<\/p>\n

God, who created the universe … who calmed the sea … who raised Jesus from the dead … God knit me in my mother’s womb. He comes to me in a whisper … and with strength. He is near, and He is inviting me to be still … and rest in Him.<\/p>\n

Scripture Reading<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take a few moments to quiet your heart. Breathe in and out.<\/p>\n

Read today\u2019s Scripture verse.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe still, and know that I am God!
\n<\/span><\/em>I am exalted among the nations,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I am exalted in the earth.\u201d \u2014Psalm 46:10<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

After reading the verse once, read it one or two more times.<\/p>\n

What stands out to you? A word, feeling, thought …<\/p>\n

Journal Prompt<\/strong><\/h3>\n

How does it feel to be still in the presence of God? Is it comforting, unsettling? Are you in awe that at this very moment God is exalted? And at the same time, He wants nothing more than to spend this exact moment with you.<\/p>\n

Invite Him in. Share your heart. Entrust it to Him.<\/p>\n

After your prayer time, what kind of rest did you receive from God?<\/p>\n

Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dear Lord, thank you for meeting me in this moment. Thank you for the gift of being still and resting in the reality that you are God. You’ve got this … You’ve got me. Throughout the day, help me to remember that you are with me and that I can always return to being still, even for a moment, to remind myself that You are with me. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Resetting<\/p>\n

\n

This is part of a 31-day series on resetting the rhythms of life. To read more about this series and see each day’s posts, click here<\/a>. Photo: Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Resetting the Rhythms of Life!\u00a0I’m so glad you’re here! Today, we begin this 31-day series by renewing our prayer life.\u00a0Maintaining a consistent prayer life is something we all struggle with from time to time, which is why it is a great place to start. And it will help reset everything else, too. Since we are resetting, or renewing, our prayer life, let’s start with 10 minutes (or whatever is realistic to you). What’s key here is having consistent,…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[67],"tags":[68,27,108],"class_list":["post-4782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31-days","tag-31-days","tag-prayer","tag-rhythms-of-life"],"yoast_head":"\nBe Still: Experiencing God's Nearness - Sarah Damm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you feeling overwhelmed or off balance? 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