This morning, as I began writing, a familiar Bach suite began playing on the classical playlist I’d selected from Prime music.

I’d listened to this particular sonata for cello a thousand times. This morning, as a snow storm silently raged outside my window, I bowed my head, closed my eyes and carefully listened to the beauty of the music.

This is what prayer is like.

Day to day, I plead and cajole God with entreaties for this need or that disappointment or I repeat the familiar words the Lord’s prayer, so familiar that the words slide over my tongue without consideration of their meaning.

But how often do I sit in silence and listen to God?

One of the most challenging verses in the Bible for me, is this one:

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. (Hebrews 11:1Living Bible (TLB)

I suppose it is because I am someone who likes to be in control, who has a difficult time “Letting go and letting God”.

And because of that, because I refuse to completely surrender my hopes and dreams and fears, to trust that God’s plan is better than I can every imagine, God continues to bring me back to this verse and this lesson.

I want to learn to be still in God’s presence, to wait for and experience His presence.

I am beginning to learn about Lectio Divina, a study of the scripture incorporating prayer and meditation.

I will share more as I learn. But I believe an important first step today is to simply read a passage and sit in silence and be in the presence of God.

Our first step is to simply surrender, and allow ourselves to rest.

Will you try this for ten minutes today? Embrace the promise of Hebrews 11:1, lay aside your worry and give it to God. “What we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Rest in that promise, close your eyes and allow yourself to sit in God’s presence.

Peace.