“ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I might meditate on your promises.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love.
Renew my life, O Lord according to your law.”
Psalm 119: 148-149
“God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
Are personal devotions and prayer time a struggle for you? Do you find your mind wandering while you try to spend intimate time with God? There is help available! More than any other Christian denominations, the Society of Friends (Quakers) are experts in the art of personal devotions. They know how to spend quiet time with God. To gain more understanding in this area, Rev. Roy Lauter interviewed Mrs. Margaret Roher a true saint of God and a lifelong Quaker.
According to Mrs. Roher, the key to a fulfilling personal quiet time with God is achieved through what she calls “Centering Down”. It is the process of releasing the distractions of this world and entering into the fellowship of the Spirit. The following outline presents points and lessons that Rev. Lauter learned through this interview and provides a structure you can follow in your own personal devotions.
I. GETTING IN THE SPIRIT :
• you must get rid of distractions – fragmented pieces in your mind
• the “stuff” must go – See Joshua 7:11-13
• use Scripture verses, an event in the life of Jesus, or a favorite hymn or chorus to focus the mind
• symbolic gestures may help – palm down to release and palm up to receive; breathing out to exhaust pollution and breath in clean air of Holy Spirit
II. RECOGNIZE HE IS NEAR YOU – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” James 4:8.
• realize He likes me ! – “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
• realize He wants to be with me – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness…” Jeremiah 31:3
• spend some time “ hanging out” with Him . Biblical examples might include Adam and Eve before the fall, Enoch, Abraham or Jesus with His disciples.
III. SECURE IN HIS LOVE YOU CAN :
• surrender cares – “Casting all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you .” 1Peter 5:7 – “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your soul.” Matt. 11:28
• confess sins – clear the air – “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 st John 1: 9
• deal with sin (singular) issue – we need both forgiveness for sins committed and cleansing from sin inherited.“ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? (4) He that hath clean hands and a pure heart…” Psalm 24: 3 – “… cleanse your hands ye sinners and purify your hearts ye double minded.” James 4:8. The line in the hymn Rock of Ages states the principle
• accept the way He deals with you – let Him be God . Don't presume to know His mind. There are consequences for our actions even though we have been forgiven. We may need to make things right with someone. (See Matthew 5: 23-24 ) We may need to make restitution. (See Luke 19:8 )
• receive healing – there is healing for inner hurts and wounds of sin. Experience inner peace. All is clear between you and the Savior!
IV. EXPERIENCE A SENSE OF PRAISE – this a time for worship and adoration. Joy often overflows and tears often flow. It is in these moments that you may catch a glimpse of the Lord. Perhaps a shadow, a glow, or the swirl of His robe can be sensed. You may feel as if you can reach out and touch the “hem of his garment.”
V. NOW LISTEN - PAY CLOSE ATTENTION . Ecclesiastes 3:7b states there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” This is the time to be silent and listen. In Jeremiah 6:10 the Lord asks, “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear.”
• As we have moved through steps III and IV, our ears are now open to hear. Proverbs 8: 34 says, “Blessed is the man who listens to me.”
• Be willing to: receive what He gives, lack what He withholds, relinquish what He takes, suffer what He inflicts, be what He requires, and do what He commands.
© 2006 by Roy Lauter |
