Listening in Stillness

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

Prayer is not only about speaking. It is also about listening. Yet for many of us, our prayer lives are a monologue — we talk, we ask, we thank, and then we rush off to the next thing without ever pausing to hear what God might want to say.

Psalm 46:10 calls us to something different. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness is not natural for us. Our minds race. Our schedules press. Our phones buzz. Silence feels uncomfortable, even wasteful. But it is in the stillness that we come to know God in a deeper way — not just know about Him, but know Him.

Knowing that He is God changes everything. It reminds us that we are not in control — and that is a relief. The weight of running the universe is not on our shoulders. He is God. We are not. And in that stillness, we can lay down our anxieties and trust the One who holds everything together.

Listening in prayer does not always mean hearing an audible voice. Sometimes it is a quiet prompting. Sometimes it is a Scripture that comes to mind. Sometimes it is simply a sense of peace that settles over your heart. But you will not experience any of these if you never stop talking long enough to listen.

Think of it this way: if you had a friend who only talked to you and never let you respond, you would eventually feel like the relationship was one-sided. God wants a conversation, not a monologue. He has things to say to you — words of comfort, guidance, conviction, and love. But He will not shout over your noise. He waits for you to be still.

Today, try something different. After you pray, sit in silence for a few minutes. Do not fill the space with words. Just be still. Let God speak however He chooses. You may be surprised by what you hear when you finally stop talking and start listening.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I have filled my prayers with so many words that I never stopped to listen. Teach me to be still before You. Quiet my restless heart. Help me to know — truly know — that You are God, and that is enough. I am listening. Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening. Amen.

Encouragement

Prayer is not just speaking to God — it is learning to be still enough to hear Him. Silence is not empty. It is where we come to know.