It has been a while since I posted and that is mostly because I haven’t known what to say. Life has been plodding on and I have been plodding with it. Just plodding, no real flashes of inspiration or anything of the kind. I have had thoughts about what to write, each unformed and not really worthy of a post.
The same has been happening in my prayer times. I have found that I haven’t really known what to say to God. I don’t seem to be able to form coherent thoughts or well thought out prayers; I don’t seem to be able to praise as I know I should. The words just aren’t coming. So I have been silent. Silent on the blog, silent with my friends, silent with God. Not in the good, I’m listening not speaking way, just in the silent, no communication way.
This happens to all of us sometimes, for various reasons. Maybe you are grieving; maybe you are tired; maybe you are depressed or angry or bitter or busy. There are a million reasons why we get to a place of not knowing what to say. The point is not the why we got there, the point is, what now?
There are 3 things I have found which have helped.
- Speak to a friend. Even though you only have half formed thoughts. Even though you don’t really know what to say. Make a plan to see someone and just open your mouth. The words will start to come out.
- Use the words of others. When we don’t know what to say to God, use the words that others have written. Get out your old CDs; look up hymns on YouTube; switch your car radio to Christian music. There are tonnes of great songs out there, full of theology and drawing our focus to God. Listen to the music, take note of the words and make them your prayer.
Saturate yourself with the WORD. My friend Sam told me ‘don’t listen to yourself; preach to yourself.’ We get too much in our own heads and we listen to our emotions or thoughts instead of listening to truth. So saturate yourself in the Word. Read a verse here and there, put up sticky notes on your mirror, on your fridge, in your hallways. Surround yourself with truth and it will start to filter in.
Remember too, we may change and feel more up or down or tired or full of energy. But the God we serve is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is always worthy of honour and praise.