Prayer: The Language of Our Relationship with God

Devotional

Day 1: Prayer Begins with Pausing in God's Presence

Prayer starts by pausing to become aware of God's presence, not rushing into requests or to-do lists, but centering ourselves on who God is. In a world that constantly pushes us to hurry and achieve, the invitation is to stop, breathe, and recognize that God is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble. When we pause, we declare that God is God and we are not, and we allow Him to reframe our perspective and recenter our lives. This simple act of pausing is the first step in making prayer our language and experiencing the fullness of God's presence. [50:58]

Psalm 46:1-11 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Reflection: What would it look like for you to intentionally pause today—before you speak, act, or plan—and simply become aware of God’s presence with you right now?

Day 2: Listening to God in Prayer

Prayer is not just about speaking to God, but also about listening for His voice. In the midst of our busy, noisy lives, God invites us to be still and know that He is God, to put down our striving and our battle weapons, and to listen for His gentle whisper. When we quiet ourselves and listen, we gain a proper perspective, are reminded of God’s faithfulness, and are empowered to move forward in His strength rather than our own. Listening is an act of trust, a way of starting with God and allowing Him to shape our hearts and actions. [01:03:17]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Reflection: When was the last time you sat in silence before God, not asking for anything, but simply listening? Can you set aside five minutes today to be still and listen for His voice?

Day 3: Resting in God’s Presence

God’s invitation in prayer is not to strive or perform, but to find true rest for our souls in His presence. Jesus calls all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and receive rest, not by our own efforts, but by yoking ourselves to Him and learning from His gentle and humble heart. Sabbath rest is a gift, a rhythm that reminds us we are not defined by our productivity, but by God’s love and finished work. When we rest in God, we declare that He is God and we are not, and we allow our souls to be refreshed and renewed. [01:11:30]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can embrace rest today—whether through Sabbath, a nap, or simply letting go of your striving—and trust God to be enough for you?

Day 4: Breathing God’s Name

In the midst of distractions and swirling thoughts, one way to recenter ourselves in prayer is to breathe out God’s name. Speaking and repeating the names of God—like “Jesus,” “Abba,” or “Holy Spirit, come”—anchors us in His presence and reminds us of who He is. This simple practice, known as centering prayer, helps us focus, calm our minds, and see our lives through the lens of God’s love and faithfulness. When we breathe God’s name, we are reminded that He is enough, and we are His beloved. [01:22:43]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection: As you go about your day, try quietly breathing and repeating a name or phrase for God. How does this shift your focus and help you experience His presence?

Day 5: Living a Lifestyle of Prayerful Presence

Prayer is not just a moment or a ritual, but a way of living—being present with God in every part of life. When we pause, listen, rest, and breathe God’s name, we are equipped to carry His peace and presence into our daily routines, relationships, and challenges. Prayer becomes our language, our breath, and our way of being, shaping us into people who are fully present with God and others. As we recenter our scattered senses on God’s eternal presence, we are transformed and sent out as people of peace and prayer. [01:30:00]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: What is one ordinary moment today—at work, at home, or in conversation—where you can intentionally become present to God and let prayer be your language?

Sermon Summary

Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline or a religious obligation—it is the very language of our life with God. Just as every culture has a language that shapes its identity and relationships, prayer is the language that shapes our relationship with God and with one another. It is the breath of our spiritual life, the ongoing communication with our Creator, initiated by God Himself from the very beginning. Through Jesus, we are invited into this living, breathing relationship, not as a ritual to check off our to-do list, but as a way of being—prayer is living.

Yet, in our fast-paced, achievement-driven world, prayer is often reduced to a hurried list of requests or a quick thank you before meals. We tend to approach God with our agendas, our anxieties, and our needs, and then rush back to our busy lives. But when we look to Scripture, we see a different rhythm. Prayer is not just talking to God; it is listening, pausing, and being present with Him. It is a two-way relationship, where we both speak and listen, act and rest, individually and as a community.

Psalm 46 gives us a powerful model: “Be still and know that I am God.” This is not a call to inactivity, but an invitation to pause, to lay down our striving, and to become aware of God’s presence in the midst of chaos, uncertainty, and noise. Whatever we start our prayers with reveals what we believe about God. When we begin by pausing and acknowledging who He is—our refuge, our strength, our fortress—we are re-centered in His reality, not our own anxieties.

Pausing in God’s presence means listening to His voice, resting in His peace, and breathing His name. It is about quieting the noise, both around us and within us, so we can hear the gentle whisper of God’s Spirit. This is not easy in a world of constant distraction, but it is essential. Sabbath rest, centering prayer, and simply being still are practices that help us enter into this space. In these moments, God reminds us of our identity, His sufficiency, and His love. We are not defined by our productivity or our performance, but by our belovedness in Him.

As we learn to pause, listen, rest, and breathe God’s name, we are transformed. We become people who live out of God’s presence, carrying His peace and His perspective into every part of our lives. This is the invitation: to make prayer our language, not just in moments of crisis or need, but as the ongoing rhythm of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Prayer is the language of relationship, not just a religious activity. It is the ongoing communication with God that flows from our union with Christ and leads to Spirit-empowered action. When we see prayer as our language, it becomes the way we live, not just something we do. [46:07]
2. Pausing in God’s presence is the first step to a deeper prayer life. In a world obsessed with productivity and noise, the call to “be still and know that I am God” is a radical act of trust. When we pause, we re-center our lives on God’s reality, allowing His presence to shape our perspective and priorities. [56:28]
3. Listening to God is as vital as speaking to Him. True prayer involves both speaking and listening, and often God’s most profound guidance comes in the quiet moments when we still our hearts. The art of silence and attentive listening opens us to God’s voice, which brings clarity, peace, and direction. [61:00]
4. Resting in God’s presence is an act of faith, not laziness. Sabbath and rest are not just Old Testament commands, but invitations to trust that God is at work even when we are not. When we rest in Him, we declare that our worth and our future are secured by His finished work, not our endless striving. [71:30]
5. Breathing God’s name centers us in His love and sufficiency. In moments of distraction or anxiety, simply breathing and speaking the name of Jesus reorients our hearts. Centering prayer is a practical way to return to God’s presence, reminding us that He is enough and that we are His beloved. [85:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:08] - Opening Joke & Introduction
[46:07] - Prayer as Our Language
[48:50] - What Prayer Looks Like in Scripture
[50:58] - Series Introduction: P.R.A.Y.
[54:28] - The To-Do List Culture
[56:28] - Pausing in God’s Presence
[58:42] - What We Start With in Prayer
[61:00] - Listening to the Lord
[63:17] - The Challenge of Silence
[66:21] - The Meaning of Selah
[68:52] - The Power of Silence in Prayer
[70:20] - Resting in God’s Peace
[71:30] - Jesus’ Invitation to Rest
[74:03] - Learning to Rest in the Storm
[75:03] - Sabbath as a Practice of Rest
[81:29] - Breathing God’s Name
[85:14] - Centering Prayer
[86:33] - How to Practice Centering Prayer
[90:00] - Practicing Centering Prayer Together
[99:56] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[101:12] - Dismissal and Prayer Ministry

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Psalm 46, what images are used to describe God’s presence and protection? How does the psalmist describe the world around him?
According to the sermon, what does the phrase “Be still and know that I am God” actually mean in its original context? [56:28]
In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who are weary and burdened? What does He say about His yoke and burden?
In the story of Elijah (1 Kings 19), how does God choose to speak to Elijah? What is significant about the way God’s voice is heard? [01:06:21]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Whatever we start our prayers with is what we believe our God to be.” What does this mean, and how might it affect the way we approach God in prayer? [58:42]
Why is pausing and being still before God described as a “radical act of trust” in our busy, achievement-driven world? [56:28]
The sermon highlights that prayer is not just talking, but also listening. Why is listening to God as important as speaking to Him? What might we miss if we only talk and never listen? [01:01:00]
Resting in God’s presence is described as an act of faith, not laziness. How does this challenge common ideas about productivity and worth? [01:11:30]

Application Questions

The sermon describes prayer as “the language of relationship, not just a religious activity.” How would your daily life look different if you truly saw prayer as ongoing communication with God, not just something to check off your list? [46:07]
When you pray, what do you usually start with—your needs, your worries, or acknowledging who God is? How might starting with God’s character change your perspective or your prayers this week? [58:42]
The practice of pausing and being still is hard in a world full of noise and distractions. What is one specific step you can take this week to create space for silence and stillness before God? (For example: turning off your phone, setting a timer, or finding a quiet spot.) [01:04:32]
The sermon encourages us to listen for God’s voice, even in silence. Have you ever experienced God speaking to you in a quiet moment? If not, what would it look like to intentionally listen for Him this week? [01:06:21]
Resting in God’s presence means trusting that your worth is not based on your productivity. Is there an area of your life where you feel pressure to “do more” to be valuable? How can you practice Sabbath or rest as an act of faith this week? [01:15:03]
The idea of “breathing God’s name” was introduced as a way to re-center in moments of anxiety or distraction. What short phrase or name of God could you use this week to help you return to His presence when you feel overwhelmed? [01:25:14]
The sermon ended with a practical exercise called “centering prayer.” Would you be willing to try this practice (relax, breathe, speak God’s name, repeat) on your own this week? What might be challenging about it, and what do you hope to experience? [01:26:33]

Sermon Clips

Praying is living. It's eating and drinking, acting and resting, teaching and learning, playing and working. Praying pervades every aspect of our lives. It is the unceasing recognition that God is wherever we are, always inviting us to come closer and to celebrate the divine gift of being alive. Amen? [00:51:09] (20 seconds)

When we can pause for a moment in God's presence and recognize He is really that good and honestly that faithful and true to His word and able to finish what He starts, we can come to a place of finding rest for our souls. [00:59:22] (15 seconds)

Elijah was invited to pray, and it wasn't through praying loud sounds. It wasn't through massive demonstrations of fire or wind or earthquakes. It was through the sound of sheer silence that he had the encounter of the Lord that reminded him of his identity, that reminded him of God's goodness, and reminded him of the hope and future, not just for him, but for all of God's people. Amen? [01:08:32] (20 seconds)

The call of Jesus is not to strive for our peace or our righteousness or our worth. The call of Jesus is to have His peace and worth and righteousness become ours. And He shows us it's not by us striving for more. It's already what He has done. It is finished is what He declared. And that is the baseline of where we come to the Lord and find rest in His presence. [01:10:59] (23 seconds)

When we breathe out the name of the Almighty God, the Most High God, the All -Powerful God, the All -Loving God, the All -Good, Faithful, True, Just, and Kind King. We are orienting ourselves on who he is and what he has done. When we speak that the Lord is our righteousness and our master and our peace and our provider and our healer and our banner of victory, that is what we are anchoring ourselves in even when distractions come our way. [01:22:29] (25 seconds)

Pete Greig says it this way, to start, we must stop. To move forward, we must pause. This is the first step in a deeper prayer life. Put down your wish list and wait. Sit quietly. Be still and know that I am God. Become fully present in place and time so that your scattered senses can recenter themselves on God's eternal presence. Stillness and silence prepare your mind and prime your heart to pray from a place of greater peace, faith, and adoration. In fact, these are themselves important forms of prayer. Amen? [01:29:13] (30 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to pause in God's presence?

How can silence enhance our prayer life?

In what ways does breathing God's name center us?