Special prayer

I came across this prayer on Twitter recently. It has helped me daily in transitioning to life in Montgomery. I have grown anxious waiting for our house to sell in Tupelo and trying to trust God to take care of us because he always has. Truly he has.

So, when I freak out and feel unsettled because we have experienced 2 major life changes within 6 months (having a baby and moving), I have used this prayer to center myself.

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A Prayer for Settling and Centering in Times of Restlessness by Scotty Smith

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Ps. 46:10-11

Sovereign Father, whenever I hear the command, “Be still,” I have to remind myself that you’re not telling us to sit still, but to be still; and there’s a world and a gospel of difference between the two. Sometimes I can be sitting perfectly still but my mind and heart race all over the place, and my hands reach for something to hold onto—something to either stabilize or anesthetize me in a world I cannot control.

I can will my way into a seat, but nothing but the gospel can bring my racing thoughts into captivity; nothing but grace can center my wondering and wandering heart; nothing but your love can fill my hands or heart with an anchor of real peace and hope.

When I am still, I remember that you are God and nothing and no one else is. That’s the best news of this or any day. You have no competition—counterfeits, but no competition. There are demigods, semi-gods, wannabe gods, but only you are God.

Kings and nations aren’t god; for one day you will be exalted among all the nations. The nations are like tiny droplets in your big bucket (Isa. 40:15). You laugh real loud when the nations gather against you, to conspire your overthrow and replacement (Psalm 2). Storms and environmental disasters aren’t god; for you will be exalted in the earth. You send the earthquake and harness the hurricane for your purposes. That’s often hard to understand, but comforting to accept.

Neither are my circumstances god, nor are transitions, nor the opinions of others, nor is getting older; neither are the choices of people I love, the mistakes I make and the sins I commit. In fact, the second most comforting news of the day is that I am not God; though at times my attitude, prayerlessness, and unbelief indicate I believe otherwise. Hallelujah several times over. You are God and I am not… I am so very not God.

Father, be exalted in the daily-ness of my today. Help me to see how your hand and heart are at work in everything. I don’t want to be a practical atheist about anything. You are working all things together after the counsel of your will. You are working in all things for the good of those who love you; and that includes me, because you first loved me and gave Jesus for me. By his life, Jesus fulfilled your law for me. By his death, he exhausted your judgment against me. I now stand in grace rather than wallow in guilt; I now swim in oceans of forgiveness, rather than tread water in a sea of shame.

I probably won’t sit still very long today, but because the gospel is true, I can and will be still. With palms up in surrender and praise, I enter this day with fresh perspective and an encouraged heart. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ excellent and exalted name.