My current very favorite verse that works is this:
“Be still, and know that I am God”
Psalm 46:10
It works for me because one of the biggest problems that I have in my spiritual life is concentrating on occupying my mind with nothing but thoughts of the Lord and His Word. Sometimes I find it hard to pray because other things are floating around in my head and distract me. One of the fervent wishes that I had from the very first, ever since joining the Church, is to be in such a state so that when I close my eyes and call on Him, I will find Him in my heart instantly. I know now it’s not as instantaneous as all that, but even so, I’m making progress, and this verse has helped a lot.
The first two words are commanding, “BE STILL.”
The next declaration is naked and raw, “KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
No further explanations are necessary, the implications are clear. Believe me. Follow me. Worship me. Obey.
It is so far proving to applicable to any prayer situation that I am in. This phrase implies that there is nothing I will encounter that will ever bring me down because my God is all powerful, and I have nothing to do but to implore Him. If I can only remember this statement at all times, I will never have any trouble centering my thoughts on Him anytime and anywhere I want to.
PS, I taught myself to remember the chapter and verse using numbers. Chapter 46:10 is thus “four plus six equals ten”. Praise God for math.
Even when we settle down enough to pray, a lot of us get as far as asking God for things. But not often do we make it to the other half of prayer – listening to God. God will speak to us, if only we will be still and know He is God.
Thanks Lester, prayer is a growth process for me, and I’ll take all the good advice that I can get.