Top O’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: Discover the transformative power of silent prayer where we listen to God rather than doing all the talking. Learn why quitting our constant striving and creating space for God to speak can lead to deeper spiritual growth.
What?
This morning during my daily Miracle Morning routine, I hit a familiar roadblock during my prayer time. I typically start with the “S” for silence in the SAVERS framework – clearing my mind and settling into God’s peace.
But when I transitioned to prayer, I found myself falling into an old pattern: “Brian talk, Brian talk, Brian talk…” without giving God space to respond.
As I sat there asking, “Lord, what should I do?” I was reminded of Psalm 46:10. Most of us know it as “Be still and know that I am God,” but the NASB translation puts it even more directly: “Quit striving.”
My coach recently told me to “quit creating and start receiving what God has for you.” Yet despite setting aside time to listen, I struggled to hear anything. I kept asking God to tell me what to do, but realized I might be approaching it all wrong.
Why?
I’m sharing this because many believers fall into this same pattern without realizing it. We approach prayer as a one-sided conversation where we do all the talking, presenting our requests, concerns, and plans to God.
But what if prayer was meant to be a two-way conversation? What if our constant striving and asking for direction is actually keeping us from receiving what God already wants to give us?
Lesson
There’s a profound difference between asking God what to do (which keeps us in control) and simply being still enough to receive what He has for us (which requires surrender).
When we’re constantly striving, creating, and planning, we might be missing the better way, better plan, and better vision that God has already prepared. As I often say, “I believe in a God that knows better – way better – and can do better – way better – than I can.”
The shift from “tell me what to do” to “I’m here to receive” represents a fundamental change in our relationship with God – from employee to child, from servant to friend.
Apply
Take a moment today to examine your prayer life. Do you hear from God? Do you listen during prayer, or do you do all the talking?
Try setting aside 5-10 minutes where you don’t ask for anything. Don’t present requests. Simply create space, clear your mind, and listen. Protect this space by asking that “no evil comes in” and that God and Jesus would “protect that holy space.”
You might not hear anything dramatic the first time – that’s okay. The practice of listening is valuable even when the results aren’t immediate.
