'Be Still and Know'
True prayer is not about getting things from God, but about entering into a blessed union with Him.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of prayer beyond mere requests, arguing that true prayer is about entering into a deep union with God. He warns against the tendency to treat prayer as a means to 'get' what we want, suggesting that the highest form of prayer transcends requests and leads to profound spiritual experiences. Tozer highlights the necessity of silence in prayer, encouraging Christians to embrace stillness to hear the voice of God. He cites the psalmist's call to 'Be still and know' as a vital practice for spiritual growth and understanding. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a deeper, more contemplative approach to prayer that fosters a closer relationship with the Eternal God.
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Prayer among evangelical Christians is always in danger of degenerating into a glorified "gold rush." Almost every book on prayer deals with the "get" element mainly. How to get things we want from God occupies most of our space. Christians should never forget that the highest kind of prayer is never the making of requests. Prayer at its holiest moment is the entering into God to a place of such blessed union as makes miracles seem tame and remarkable answers to prayer appear something very far short of wonderful, by comparison. We should be aware that there is a kind of school where the soul must go to learn its best eternal lessons.
It is the school of silence. "Be still and know," said the psalmist.
It might well be a revelation to some Christians if they were to get completely quiet for a time-a time to listen in the silence for the deep voice of the Eternal God!
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Prayer
- The Highest Kind of Prayer
- The School of Silence
- A place to learn eternal lessons
- Listening for the voice of God
Key Quotes
“Prayer at its holiest moment is the entering into God to a place of such blessed union as makes miracles seem tame and remarkable answers to prayer appear something very far short of wonderful, by comparison.” — A.W. Tozer
“Be still and know,” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Make time to get quiet and listen to God in order to hear His voice.
- Prioritize entering into a union with God over seeking answers and miracles.
- Recognize that the highest kind of prayer is not about getting things, but about being with God.