AN INVITATION FROM JESUS – COME PRAY IN SIMPLE SILENCE
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31
THE WORLD IS NOISY
The headlines shouted across the glaring screen, and my heart dropped lower than I thought it could go. It seemed that for a moment I felt the weight and the sadness of the world crashing upon me. How could I find any quiet rest with such chaos gripping my soul? Where was the quiet place for prayer?
As I paused so briefly, in the next moment I heard a whisper, stronger than the weight, deeper than the sadness:
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31
Are you also feeling those anxious mind-racing thoughts that threaten to pull your heart down? Our Lord Jesus has called us to lay the weight down and find His quiet rest.
When the world is reeling under constant change and chaos, there is another voice, another way. Our Lord Jesus has called us to lay down the loud shouting, and to find His quiet rest.
HE is the true rest our souls are craving.
SIMPLE SILENCE: PAUSE IN OUR RUSHING
Into the rushing He calls us to slow, to listen to our breathing, to center our thoughts on Him. We don’t have to wait until the noises in our minds stop. No, we can pause in the very middle of the shouting, and instead lift our thoughts to Jesus. “Jesus, my Savior, have mercy on me.” Quietly, one syllable at a time, He invites us to gently focus our hearts on Him.
And when we wander back to the worries and the anxieties—what then? He invites us again, and again, and again. There are different names for this spiritual discipline of quiet prayer: Centering Prayer, Silent Prayer, Breath Prayer. But each practice is an invitation to center our thoughts and our hearts on Jesus. And He will meet us in that place of quiet rest, this simple silence.
Will you join me at the Chronic Joy website today? We are pausing there with our prayers, and with Questions for Reflections to lift our heart into places of simple silence with the Lord. Click here to join me there.
And when you return here, I would be so blessed to share with you this poem in response to the Poetry Prompt last week at Chronic Joy. The Lord stirred my heart with these words as I prayed for my husband. He is recovering from his heart valve replacement surgery while resting at our son’s house until he is able to drive. And I am resting at our home, where our daughter has stopped in to help with my care also. We have been given such tender care by our Savior.
HIS own life blood, shed for us, has become the life pulsing within our veins now.
"Red, Bloodred"
Bloodred
Spring's Bloodroot flowers
WHITE AS SNOW
But sap flowing within
Bloodred
Bloodred
The heart of me washed
WHITE AS SNOW
By mercy flowing from Christ
Bloodred
Bloodred
Valves repaired flowing free
WHITE AS SNOW
With newness patched in ...
"The Life of the body is in its blood." Leviticus 17:11 NLT
--bg
I am linking with #RememberMeMonday
BettieGsRAseasons 
Bettie, where do I begin? This post has touched me deeply. As a Celtic Christian in my heart I very much love silent prayer and meditation, it has been a part of my walk with God since my early days. You reminded me of my time of retreat many years ago to the Holy Island in Northumbria, England. I could say lots here but I will instead just say thank you for this blessed reminder of Divine things. God bless you sister.
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Oh, I am so thankful that the Lord brought such precious memories and blessing to you here today. What a special time that must have been for you to travel to Northumbria for a blessed time of retreat with our Father. I did not grow up with any of the contemplative practices as part of my faith heritage, but I have been so blessed these past few years to just begin to experience those precious spiritual disciplines. And I am so thankful that He does meet us so beautifully in the quiet places. God bless you dear brother!
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love this poem. Continuing to pray for your husband.
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Thank you so much for all of your prayers and understanding dear Mandy! I am so blessed that we can lift each other in prayer across the miles. Blessings to you and your husband today too.
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Thank you dear Bettie. I needed this reminder today. Decisions, stress crowding in. But my Savior says Breathe. So thankful for the care you and Barry have received. Praying now for Spirit to surround you both. Love, Julie
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Dear Julie, Oh yes, this world crowds in upon so swiftly. I am so grateful for His gentle voice that calls us to come to His place of resting in the middle of all of the hard. And so thankful that we can pray for each other through these days of recuperation. Blessings and love to you!
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Praying today is a good day. Sharing time with Him in silence brings comfort.
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Dear Melissa,
Thank you for your precious prayers. Amen, He brings us such comfort! Blessings to you!
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Breathing out the cares and stress; breathing in God’s word. What a spirit-lifting, attitude-changing exercise! I must admit I’ve let this habit slip away. Thank you, Bettie, for the reminder of how powerful it is! “Praise to You my God & Savior! You are my Rock and Refuge!”
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Amen, dear Nancy. I am so grateful that He finds ways to keep drawing back into His resting place. I know I need so many reminders too. He truly is our Rock! Blessings to you this week.
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What a beautiful post Bettie, such a timely reminder to surrender all to Him constantly.
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer
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Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your prayers and blessings! And what a blessed Savior we have–He is so near and calling us to Himself through each of these hard places. I pray blessings over your week also, sweet friend!
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Thank you ♥
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This is such a beautiful post! I also loved your prayer and your beautiful poem. Continued prayers for you and your husband!
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Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your kind comments and prayers. They truly mean so much as we walk through this uncharted territory. I am so grateful that our Savior carries my husband even as He is carrying me, whether we are together or apart. Blessings to you this week!
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Thank you so much for such a sweet and timely reminder. I don’t know why but the world – or the cares of it – seem so very loud to me during the night. Actually, just before dawn. I so often struggle with my anxiety and my out-of-control thoughts just for the morning light. And I need to quiet my heart to match the quiet house – and listen for his voice.
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Dear Jennifer, oh I so often struggle at night also. I’m so thankful that Jesus understands our weariness, and our inability to fight those spiraling thoughts then. He is so good to cover us then with His wings. I’m glad we can pray for each other in those night hours. Blessings to you!
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God is so amazing, Bettie. He comforts us at just the right time. Yesterday morning we woke up to a 6-inch layer of snow, so white and pure. Then I read your post here, and I was so encouraged. It set me on a search for the whiter than snow verses. Then I found this song and knew you would love it – https://youtu.be/z-C-QnUyBfg . I just listened to it again, and the song following it is so touching, too. May God make us whiter than snow! Love and blessings of strength and further healing for you and your husband!
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Oh Trudy, yes, that song is so beautiful, thank you for sharing it! May the Lord bring such fullness to our hearts as we rest on His cleansing purity He brings to us! I can scarcely understand it, it’s such a wonder that He gives us His own lifeblood. Thank you so much for all of your sweet encouragement and prayers, dear friend. May you be so blessed today!
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I feel I enter into His quiet presence whenever I read your words, Bettie!
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Dear Lynn,
Thank you for bringing such encouragement to me. I am so grateful for these digital airwaves, and how God allows our paths to cross & share His comfort. Your photography is one of such comfort to me also!
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Hi Bettie..
Beautiful poem..May God protect you and your family..God be always with you!
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Thank you for your sweet comment, and thank you so much for your dear prayers, Athira! May the Lord be so close to you today also!
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Thank you Bettie..
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After a long gap we talked again, isn’t Bettie?
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Yes, it’s been a while! I am so thankful to hear from you again, dear sister!
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Thank you Bettie..Same here..
How is the Covid situation there?
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Thank you too! We are in the middle part of the country, and it seems to be slowing down a bit. Praying for safety for you and your loved ones!
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“Bloodred
Valves repaired flowing free”
Amen, sweet sister! Amen!
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Amen! The blood of Jesus covers us! Amen! Thank you so much for your precious prayers, sweet sister!
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So beautiful, as always, Bettie. I’m so thankful for your encouragement, reminding me to remember to go to God in prayer right away instead of waiting until I’ve exhausted my resources. He is the One I need to give my strength and grace, so I should always go to Him first. Much love dear sister! xoxo
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Amen, dear Gayl. I ask myself those questions too. Even though I know I need to relax and rest in Jesus, there are such times that my flesh thinks I should just keep trying to press on. I am so grateful that He is so patient with us, as we learn and lean more deeply into Him. Love and hugs to you dear sister! xoxo
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Thank you Bettie..Stay Blessed
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Sweet friend! What a calming post this was to me this evening. I am SO weary of so much – health issues and the heavy weight of burdens. Thank you for speaking straight to my heart. I trust your husband is back home safely by now and you are both feeling better. So thankful you have such precious, kind, caring children.
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Dear Cheryl,
Oh thank the Lord for His precious gift of peace and comfort today. He truly knows just how to quiet our hearts. I have needed His calming presence so often, daily in fact, over these past few weeks. Yes, we are so thankful my husband is back home, praise God! But there are still so many burdens connected with his health and my own too. We are being carried by His quiet grace, so much. I will pray for that same grace for you tonight too. Sending so much love and hugs for you dear friend.
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The world is oh so noisy – but we can find in Him our hiding place.
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Amen! I am so, so thankful we have such a precious hiding place in our Jesus.
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your poem is beautiful Bettie……..I have found myself to have a much greater need for quiet lately making life a bit more challenging. I was blessed to visit The Cross in the Woods in Michigan last week and it was so lovely and something my soul needed to feel refreshed. So thankful to know God was listening to all of my mind’s ramblings.
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Dear Wendi, oh that does sound like such a peace-filled place to visit. I join you in feeling so grateful that the Lord listens to my rambling too. He knows how to still our hearts with His mercy. Blessings and love and hugs to you dear friend!
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May God hear our prayers……..Amen!
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Amen!
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Hi Bettie, I wanted to stop by and read some of your calming thoughts. I picked the right post! Lovely! May God bless you with some peace and stillness in life’s storms as you turn to Him throughout your days.
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Dear Amy, thank you for your kind comments. I’m so grateful that the Lord blessed you with His peace here. He truly does meet our longings and needs, doesn’t He? He is so very faithful to us as He lets us connect with each other in His Body! Blessings and love to you dear sister!
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