Understanding the Place of Stillness in Personal Prayers

Understanding the place of stillness in spiritual solitude

We are still on a series that involves correct practices that helps for effective praying for the Christian man/woman.

For better understanding, kindly refer to my previous post: The Arts of Silence, Stillness and Solitude in Personal Prayers
Meanwhile, do accept my apologies for my absence from posting updates for the past one month. I can assure you that it was for good reasons… (winks)!
Today we are considering an important concept: Understanding the place of stillness in personal prayers and why it is should be employed in communing with the Almighty God.
Literally, stillness has been defined as the state of lacking motion, activity. It can also be seen as uttering no sound: SUBDUED,MUTED,CALM,TRANQUIL.

The concept of stillness has very important implications in our world where both physical and psychological disturbances are common.

Truthfully, people are busy. This reflects in the first cock crow that announces the beginning of a new day. Moisture drips of fresh dew on the green grass can hardly ever dry out from the morning sun before the buzz of the day sets in. The neighborhood/roads are soon flooded with machinery and persons on different missions with a line-up of activities for the day.
This leaves a Christian who is intentional about observing his morning devotions at the mercy of rising earlier than the cock so as to enjoy an uninterrupted flow with the Holy Spirit.

JESUS CHRIST AND STILLNESS

Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed to a solitary place, and there prayed.

Jesus Christ (in course of is earthly ministry) also had a busy day and usually worked late into the night attending to the sick and oppressed, but this did not deter His quest for the earlier than normal morning meetings with God the Father.
The art of stillness is a step ahead in practicing silence.
Kindly refer to my previous post on SILENCE AS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR COMMUNION IN PERSONAL PRAYERS.
This implies that the benefits attached to being silent before the Almighty God also applies in being still.

Patterns of Stillness

Stillness might involve our physical, psychological and spiritual senses and in prayers, the implications of these reflects heavily on our patterns of communication to God during prayers.

Physical Stillness

I was a bit distracted writing this when I thought about my days in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp as a corp member in the paramilitary cadre of Nigeria. Parades were interesting as I enjoyed the sheer awesomeness of stillness we displayed as the commandant issued a command, in a bid to salute a political dignitary. The silence was deafening afterwards. It was as though I could hardly breathe so as to achieve excellence at stillness!

These were merely physical exercises with an ephemeral goal. How powerful shall it be when we salute the sovereignty of the Everlasting King and reverence His abiding presence in our lives.

Luke 10:41/42
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Whilst Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word, Martha was busy with services that related to hospitality.
Chances were that Martha could hear Jesus Christ teaching Mary, but she was not physically present. Priority was an issue of concern for Martha. Her worry over tasks undone robbed her off being physically still to sit at the feet of Christ.

Psychological Stillness

On a positive perspective, emotional upsets and issues weighing on the mind can lure the believer into a deeper level of communion with God in a state of stillness as with the woman called Hannah.
1 Samuel 1: 13/15
Now Hannah, she spake in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunk
And Hannah answered and said, No my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

However, Satan can also capitalize on the vulnerabilities and frailties of a depressed mind to induce restlessness as in the case of the storm that arose in the ship Jesus boarded alongside His disciples (Mark 4).
The temptation to breeze in and out of our social media platforms can sometimes rob us of the needed concentration whilst we pray.

Spiritual Stillness

This form of stillness is one that is characterized by faith in God. The believer assumes a posture of hopeful waiting for God to come through for him/her.

Psalm 62:1

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 131:1-2
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Exodus 14:14

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Staying still is proof of lack of worry and faith in the power/ability of God to make a way in an unpleasant or hopeless circumstance.

It is also proof of your co-operation with God in total dependence and submission to His absolute sovereignty.

The benefits of stillness cannot be overemphasized as the scriptures are replete with promises of provisions of strength and divine intervention.
Practicing stillness is an act inspired by the Grace that Jesus Christ gives.
it is as we come boldly before Him(Heb 4:13) that He supplies us with the requisite Grace!

Thanks for reading… God bless you immensely!