A Prayer for God's Presence in Quiet Seasons - Your Daily Prayer - August 16

A Prayer for God's Presence in Quiet Seasons
By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
“But as for me, I will watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” - Micah 7:7

Listen or Read Below:

Life is like one sprawling season of waiting. A collection of countless waves—variations of brief bursts and longer lulls—of big and little waits. And sometimes when we’re holding out for the next new thing, life can lose its allure and excitement. Our days can even seem slightly still and quiet. In our prolonged passes of time while waiting on God, the giver of all good things, to bring some sort of shift or positively answer a prayer. And in these seasons God himself can even seem silent. I’ve waited for expansive periods for the Lord to crack open a door, respond to a very personal prayer, or resolve a chronic condition. And, right now, I’m sensing some silence in all of these areas. Sure, life continues to swell with chaos and noise in some aspects, but in a few particular places, the stagnancy has cast dim shadows over my current days.

Vulnerably speaking, my present and periodic problem seems to be that sometimes I fixate on what I wish were different, what I would prefer to happen that hasn’t, or just the feeling of a dull lull hovering over my life. And when I’m longing and waiting for God’s goodness or one of his bold moves, I’m anticipating to move in, I forget to focus on his very present presence. I fail to notice the good things he’s placed right in front of me. And this is rather unfortunate because I’m basically stealing my own joy day after day, as I fix my eyes on the future.

How can you relate? When you’re waiting on something to happen or change, or when your surroundings just seem more still, do you focus on God’s presence and prioritize praise? Or do you become consumed with what you dream would come to be? I’ve been in both places. But I think we’ve all been guilty of missing the blessings before us due to our attention being misdirected to uncertain potential and probabilities, rather than to the certain promises of God and his presence.

But here’s what I know: Our God is always present with us, and he is a God of abundant and boundless blessings. Of this we can be certain. He’s not holding out. He’s constantly pouring out. Blessing after blessing, gift on top of gift. The problem is, we don’t always notice them. We don’t always notice him. But wow, there is so much joy when we do. And I know we all want joy. While it’s quiet, while we wait, all the time—we want joy. And it is joy that our Savior’s presence provides ... when we acknowledge it. 

And that’s what it takes—acknowledging our Savior God, acknowledging his loving presence and his wonders in the works. Acknowledging the beauty being bestowed in the slow and silent seasons. And in every season. No matter the sound or speed of our setting right now, we can call on his name now, because he is here. And he hears. He offers himself, always. There is abundance and joy in him, always. We have constant hope because he is present, always.

Let’s open our hope-filled eyes wide and watch for his beautiful blessings while we wait.

Let’s Pray:

Lord God, You are the God of hope. You pour out blessing-after-blessing day-after-day, even on the days that seem more silent. But Lord, you are never silent. You are always working, always giving, always pouring out perfect portions of your boundless blessings. I long to open my eyes wide to your provision and lavish love. I long to let it fill me up when I find shadows surrounding me. You are my Savior, you provide all that I need, and I will wait for your glorious purposes and plans to unfold before me. Lord, I praise you for your perfection and am in awe of your goodness and faithfulness. In your mighty name, amen.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Akarawut Lohacharoenvanich

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.

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