“It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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Listen to my song “Slow Me Down” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books at the links following the scripture reflection below. Thank you!

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Acts 16:13-14

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.

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Do you pray?

When I was a kid, I was taught that praying was more about reading already-written-prayers or perhaps asking God to make things happen.

I really wasn’t taught anything about contemplative prayer.

This is more of a way-of-being-with-God, an intentional openness to the Divine Presence.

It’s not just talking to God, but listening as well.

In today’s scripture, we see the early Christians gathering along a river outside the city gate for prayer.

It was likely a quiet place conducive to being present to God’s Presence in their surroundings: nature itself.

And through this intention to rest in the presence of God, they came across a group of women gathered there.

Lydia is described as a “worshiper of God.”

She apparently also had been awakened to the gift of a contemplative heart because the Spirit nudged her to listen to what Paul was saying.

This led her to hearing about Jesus and to being inspired to also become a follower.

God, the Loving Source of all things, is indeed always present.

It is we who are often not, instead caught up in our mind’s addictive and endless thoughts.

Set aside quiet time in a place conducive to contemplative prayer.

(I highly recommend some form of meditation or Centering Prayer.)

Just be in the presence of the Divine Presence.

Listen.

Allow this Presence to bring you peace.

You will begin to carry a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) with you.

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Listen to the song of the day “Slow Me Down” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!