Waiting: Step 2 For Cultivating Daily Delight in Prayer
“Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40 (NKJV)
Step Two: ___________________________
Basic Definition
The Act of Soul ________________________
Action Focus: Intimate _______________________
Key Word: ______________________
Voices from the Past:
“He who in prayer has not time in quietness of soul, and in full consciousness of its meaning, to say Abba, Father, has missed the best part of prayer.”
—Andrew Murray
“There is activity in prayer, of course, and it includes speaking with God. But that should not be all. In the quiet holy hour of prayer we should also be still and permit ourselves to be examined by the Physician of our souls.”
—Professor O. Hallesby
WAITING: A Biblical Basis
Scripture:
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:3 (NLT)
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 (NLT)
I wait quietly before God, for my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1 (NLT)
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
Micah 7:7 (NLT)
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psalm 62:5-6 (NKJV)
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:23 (NIV)
Six Ways to Wait…
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
5. ________________________
6. ________________________
Summary Definition of WAITING…
A time to ______________
WAITING: A Prayer Application
Love God _________________.
WAITING: A Life Application
Nurture a close ____________________.
Voices from the Past:
“Here is the secret of the life of prayer. Take time in the inner chamber to bow down and worship; and wait on Him until He unveils Himself, and takes possession of you, and goes out with you to show you how a man can live and walk in abiding fellowship with our unseen Lord.”
—Andrew Murray
Where to Next?
WAITING…
Four Ways to Get Started and Keep Going!
Following are four suggestions to help you personally apply this aspect of the 12 in daily prayer.
A Practical Prayer Summary
Step 2 in World-Changing Prayer
- After your moments of praise, bring your mind and spirit into a time of complete silence to the world.
- Think no thoughts but thoughts of God the Father, His Son Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
- If words are to be voiced, let them be quiet whisperings like, “I love you, Lord” or “I long for your presence, O God.”
- Concentrate full attention on the “love” aspect of God’s nature in these minutes of silence.
Afterthoughts...Ponder and Pray
Ponder Points:
Discuss (or ponder) what you think it means to surrender your soul to God in prayer. How does waiting on God help accomplish this objective? How do you think we can apply this aspect of prayer in a practical way in daily life?
Personal Afterthoughts
Prayer Points:
Take at least two minutes (or more) to be silent in God’s presence. Take time just to focus on the wonder of who God is. What do you admire about Him? Conclude your time of prayer by telling God how much you admire and love Him. Pray that you can apply this aspect of prayer in daily life by cultivating more intimacy in your marriage or friendships.
