Quiet Trust: Your Nightly Prayer to Begin August 1

Beginning August with Quiet Trust
Your Nightly Prayer

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Summer offers a variety of paces. For some, it’s go, go, go. For others, it’s an invitation to slow down. But as the summer months shift, no matter which of those camps I find myself in, I seek to trust God more with what's ahead. August means the summer season will be ending soon. School will be back in session, workflow will resume to normal, and eventually the cooler temps will return. It’s a restful place to be when we walk into seasons prepared spiritually for all that lies ahead. We have dates set and calendars filled, but ultimately, the Lord ordains and knows all that will come.

We see many times throughout scripture that God’s people had to first enter into a deep trust with Him before they could walk through all the plans He had for them.

Hannah had to trust God while waiting to conceive. (1 Sam 2)

Joseph had to trust God in prison. (Gen 39)

Ruth had to wait for her Kisman Redeemer. (Ruth 3)

David had to trust God while waiting to be King. (1 Sam 16)

Trust was key for these followers, and the same trust is required for us. It’s not a blind trust; it’s a faith-filled trust. One that does not waver in fear but submits humbly yet firm in courage. Hannah prayed boldly that God would move on her behalf; she trusted Him regardless of the outcome. Joseph trusted God to use him, even in pressurizing situations. Ruth trusted the God she had heard of, which is remarkable given how she was raised; she knew the God of Israel would redeem the situation. David waited well and honored Saul while God prepared him to be king.

What are you trusting God for? What does it look like for you to quietly trust Him?

For me, it looks like trusting Him with the launch of my new book, all while keeping my home running as I’m called to run it tethered tightly to Jesus! And how will I do this quietly? In the only way I know how to. Through constant conversation with the Lord. I love having intentional time in the mornings with the Lord, even if one of my children has to join. I love getting to talk with Jesus or about Jesus on my daily walks. And truly, just praying about all the pieces and parts of the day keeps me close to Him.

Too often, believers put legalistic expectations on themselves when it comes to spending time with the Lord. Which, in turn, makes their time feel like a box to check off a to-do list, and the growth in their relationship with Jesus gets missed.

We can quickly shift our perspective on this, though. Instead of viewing getting quiet with the Lord as a task to do, look at it as a gift you’re being given. God is giving you a time to talk with Him and commune with Him. He’s making the space to speak to you through His Word. He’s making a way for you to experience quiet trust in the season you’re finding yourself in. Time with Him is sacred and needed.

Trust in God produces a faith that can persevere well. A faith anchored in the love of God will testify to the goodness of God as He presents opportunities to do so! Trust well and lean into the quiet place of the Father’s heart.

What does quiet trust look like to you?

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father, thank you for the gift of your quiet presence. I pray to be a believer who trusts well, even when the circumstances I’m facing feel difficult. Remind me on hard days that you have always been faithful to lead and guide those who love you. Holy Spirit, keep me engaged in conversation. When I get too quiet, nudge me to talk with you. Help me, Lord, to be a light in this world, and that my journey of quiet trust will be one that will testify to the goodness of your heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Where do you need to trust God more?

Who in the Bible can you look to for encouragement when it comes to trusting God?

How has God been faithful to meet you in the quiet places?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.

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