Day 21

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Mark 6:1-13

Focus Verse:
“And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief” (vv. 5, 6).

Listening to God:
”Your unbelief can block the good I want to do in this world. I have promised over and over again that whatever you ask in my name I will do. This applies to your life, to those around you, and also to your church and the wider community. If you are dedicated to doing my will, all the power of heaven is at your disposal. Does this mean you will get everything you want? No. That would not be good for you. However, I promise to give you everything you need to live in the flow of my will. Today ask for this and trust me to keep my promise! Your prayers are the channel through which my power flows into the world.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 20

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
John 11:17-44

Focus Verse:
“Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go’” (v. 44).

Listening to God:
”You are mine! My deepest delight is to set you free from everything that stunts and binds your life. The tentacles of envy, worry, self-will, and so many other things wrap themselves around your heart without you even realizing it. They steal your joy and make you less effective as my witness. You cannot rescue yourself; they are more powerful than you are. Come to me, and let me free you from the clutches of these spiritual predators. Let me unbind you and set you free!”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 19

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Acts 1:1-11

Focus Verse:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (v. 8).

Listening to God:
”I pour out my power only on those who are willing to do my will. All too often you work your own agenda instead of mine. This behavior is rooted deep in fallen human nature. If you are not in close communion with me and filled with my Spirit, the work you do for me is of little value in my sight. Relationship must come before work, if the work is to have value. Before you do anything for me, spend some quality time with me. Keep in close touch throughout the day. Then even the smallest thing you do will be a witness to my presence in this world.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 18

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Luke 11:1-13

Focus Verse:
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask” (v. 13).

Listening to God:
”You think you have to understand everything before you can experience it. This misconception robs you of many blessings. There are some things you will never understand until you experience them. And there are some things you are not meant to understand this side of heaven. Instead of always demanding to understand my ways, experiment with trusting me. The best gift I can ever give you is the gift of my Spirit in your life. You don’t have to understand it; just ask for the Spirit to come into your life and see what I do. Give me a tiny crack to operate in, and I will transform you.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

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Day 17

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
James 3:13-18

Focus Verse:
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy” (v. 17).

Listening to God:
”Beware of being too sure you are right. Often an unwillingness to yield is linked with a selfish disposition. My wisdom does not push others around or refuse to listen to differing points of view. Human wisdom is often about winning. My wisdom is about healing, saving, and redeeming. Next time someone disagrees with you, be quiet. Put yourself in a listening posture and ask me to show you what is wise and true. This way of being with others bears a rich harvest of good fruit.

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 16

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Hebrews 4:1-11

Focus Verse:
“So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his” (vv. 9, 10).

Listening to God:
”You were created to need down time. Sabbath is my gift to you. Here’s a thought: give yourself one day a week when you do only things that feed you and give you joy, and do them with an awareness of my presence. Think it can’t be done? Think you are too busy and important to rest? Just give it a try. Taking a Sabbath day every week will fill you with new energy so that the other six days are more productive and joyful.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 15

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Mark 6:30-44

Focus Verse:
“And he said to them, ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see’” (v. 38).

Listening to God:
”Miracles happen when you take what you have and put it in my hands. So often you refuse to give me what you have. Usually this is because you feel that it is small, insignificant, even ugly. But I want you exactly as you are. I want the real you. Don’t wait until you have achieved some imagined level of perfection to come to me. Do you have fears, doubts, negative feelings, guilt, bad habits? No problem! Bring it on; I can take whatever you give me and transform you to be a blessing to others.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 14

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
2 Samuel 6:1-7

Focus Verse:
“When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God for the oxen shook it” (v. 6).

Listening to God:
”I have called you to partner with me in my work in the world. But never forget that you are the junior partner. I do not have to have your help. Instead I invite you to join me because I love you. I am the God of the universe. I am in control! When you start thinking you need to fix things, you open yourself up to all kinds of trouble. Today, trust me to be the senior partner in what we are doing.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 13

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Isaiah 43:1-21

Focus Verse:
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (v. 19).

Listening to God:
”Never think you have me figured out. I am always doing something new. If you are too comfortable, you are probably not living close enough to me. Do not resist when life takes you out of your comfort zone. Do not struggle to hold on to the way things are or have been. I am a God of the future, and I am always walking with you into the unfolding surprises of my will. Relax and enjoy the journey!”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 12

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Matthew 11:20-30

Focus Verse:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (v. 28).

Listening to God:
”Your walk with me was never meant to be a weary slog. If you are feeling worn out and overburdened, check your load to make sure that you are not carrying things I have not called you to carry. When you get in the yoke with me, I always provide what you need to carry the load. When you load yourself up and try to go it alone, I can’t help you. Try putting the things that are making you weary in my hands right now. Call on me to do what only I can do. I will give you rest.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 11

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Matthew 18:1-4

Focus Verse:
“Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (v. 3).

Listening to God:
”When I made you, I wove your spirit together with mine. You will always be my child. The best parent in all the world cannot love as I can love you. My love is unconditional and unbreakable. When you live into this relationship, you fulfill the purpose for which you are placed on earth. Why are you always struggling to be independent? I created you to depend on me and your fellow human beings. It is when you let go and become as dependent as a little child that I can do the most in your life.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 10

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Luke 3:1-14

Focus Verse:
“And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’” (v. 10).

Listening to God:
”I care about how you live. I created you to reflect my love in the world. No matter what your situation in life, I have marked out this calling for you, a way of life that gives me joy. Are you consciously and intentionally living toward my will for your life? When was the last time you invited me to direct your way? Turn to me now! I can make your crooked paths straight and your rough places like a plain.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 9

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Revelation 2:1-7

Focus Verse:
“I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (v. 4).

Listening to God:
”Haven’t you been missing something in your life? There is so much more I want to give you if you would only turn and open up to me again. I did not move away from you, but you have put distance between us. This makes everything in your life out of kilter. I will rekindle the passion of our relationship, the fire of my presence in your life. Just ask me and wait in my presence.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

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Day 8

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Luke 15:11-24

Focus Verse:
“While he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him” (v. 20).

Listening to God:
”Your unfaithfulness does not change my faithfulness to you. Your sin does not erase our relationship. Jesus died on a cross so that sin would not have the last word between us. Turn and take one step in my direction, and I will run to meet you. You cannot imagine how the angels rejoice when they see you turn for home.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 7

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Mark 1:14-20

Focus Verse:
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (v. 15).

Listening to God:
”I want to do something new in you and in your church. This new thing is of a piece with what I have been doing with you, but it is also fresh and different. I want you to turn away from your contentment with the way things are and ask me what I want you to be doing. I want you to partner with me now, not next week or next year. There are people all around you who need what only I can give. Let me use you to be good news to them.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 6

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Psalm 34

Focus Verse:
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (v. 18).

Listening to God:
”It is sad that you often feel my presence least when you are in the most need. It should be just the opposite. Like any good parent, my love reaches its peak when my child needs help. I have everything you need and want to give it to you. All you have to do is ask. Repent your lack of trust and come to me in prayer. I will bring good out of anything that is tormenting you.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 5

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Matthew 5:1-16

Focus Verse:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (v. 3).

Listening to God:
”I desire fellowship with you more than anything else in the universe. You often expect me to bless you most in your abundance. This is not the way I work. When I bless you in your abundance, you tend to forget me in fascination with my gifts. The gifts become an idol, and our relationship suffers. It is my way to bless you in your lack, failure, and emptiness. This way you don’t forget me, and I can work my will through you in amazing ways. Look for my hand moving in your life when you are feeling lonely, incompetent, and out of control. Blessed are you when you don’t run away from the means I use to draw you to me.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 4

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Acts 17:16-33

Focus Verse:
“Indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we love and move and have our being’” (vv. 27, 28).

Listening to God:
“Know that right at this moment, I am very close to you. The air that you are breathing is a gift from me. The ability to turn a page or read a sentence comes to you right now from my loving hands. It grieves me when you act as though I am far away. You give me great joy when you recognize our intimacy and live like a son or daughter of God. I desire your good as a mother desires good for her infant. Trust me and don’t be afraid.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 3

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Psalm 42:1-11

Focus Verse:
“As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” (v. 1).

Listening to God:
“The desire you feel for me is put into your heart by the Holy Spirit. Rejoice in this desire! Hold onto it like a lifeline. Your yearning for me is a sign that my love has been poured into your heart by faith. Your thirst for me draws you closer and closer to me so that I can claim more and more of you. I am using your desire, as unfulfilled and frustrating as it may feel, to transform you into the person I want you to be.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.

Day 2

Open your mind and heart to God’s presence and guidance.

Scripture:
Lamentations 3:22-33

Focus Verse:
“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (v. 26).

Listening to God:
”I like nothing more than bringing my Spirit and my healing into your life. Please give me more room to operate! When you thrash around in complaint and impatience, you block my blessings. Take a deep breath and give me time to complete the growth I am trying to bring about in your soul.”

Listen in silence. Quiet your mind by letting go of sounds and thoughts as they occur, seeking a silent space for God’s word to you.

Write or say your own prayer.