Helpful Verses To Be Still And Know God
When is the last time you paused to “be still?”
The definitions of being “still” are:
- Remaining in place or at rest.
- Free from sound or noise.
Based on those definitions, I’m not great!
At this time of the year, being “still” can feel impossible. But what if this is the very season when we need it most?
God prompted David to write…
“Be still, and know that I am God!
Psalm 46:10
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
And…
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
Psalm 62:5–6
for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
I love that Hallow’s Prayer theme for Advent is the “Be Still Challenge.”
Throughout his career, Rev worked in many areas of ministry. He was often juggling assignments and deadlines on multiple fronts. And the month of December was beyond hectic.
But when life felt overwhelming, he would grab his Bible, head to a spot overlooking the Mississippi River, and sit with God. He would take time to “be still,” and it always blessed him and all of us.
It’s funny. Typically, our busiest times are when we believe there’s no time to pause, but what if that’s when we need it most? It’s hard for the Lord to get our attention when our minds are racing, and if we never turn off the noise around us, it’s not going to happen.
So, let’s set aside time to “be still” with the Lord, taking His Word and prayerfully holding it in our hearts.
3 Verses to Be Still and Pray
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Father God, this time of year always seems to hold a list of things to do and places to be that feel impossible to accomplish. Please forgive me. Too often, the thing I choose to set aside is my time with You.
I wake up and feel like I need to rush into the day, and my mind is still racing when I climb into bed. Why? How do I let this happen? It’s time to celebrate Your birth, but we get so busy with other things that we neglect You.
I’m so sorry. Please help me change the way I think. May I take time each day to focus my heart and mind on You and Your gracious love. I want to KNOW Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Transform me with Your love and grant me Your peace. Amen.
The Lord is my shepherd;
Psalm 23:1–3
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to His name.
I love these words from David, Father. I love that Jesus told us He is the Good Shepherd and His sheep KNOW His voice and follow Him. He is all I need. When I follow Him, I can enjoy peace and rest. He is my strength, and when I follow His loving ways, I will travel the path You want for me.
I want to pause and rest in the peaceful quiet near meadows and streams. I want to take time to look around and enjoy Your beautiful creation. I want to ignore the distractions around me so that I can focus on what’s most important.
You say love is what’s important. Love for You and the people around me. Everything else is temporary. It’s all just stuff. But Your love lasts forever. Please help me. You are all I need. Amen.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
Psalm 37:23–24
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Heavenly Father, I surrender myself to You. It is my prayer to TRUST You with all my heart. Make me holy, set apart to serve You, through Your truth.
May I follow where You lead, and remember that You delight in my loving service. I do stumble. I can be prideful and selfish. Too often, I am distracted by worldly sparkles. I am sorry. Your Word promises that You are gracious to hold on to me through Your Spirit and my faith in Jesus.
You hold my hand, and You don’t let go. When I count my blessings, that is the greatest one of all. Through Your grace, mercy, and love, Jesus is my peace today and my hope for the future.
When I regularly pause to “be still” with You—Father, Savior, and Spirit, I surrender my hand to Your guidance and care, and by Your grace, You lead me along the way of LIFE that lasts forever. Amen.
Here are a few quotes that encouraged me…
“In place of our exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, God will give us rest. All He asks is that we come to Him…that we spend a while thinking about Him, meditating on Him, talking to Him, listening in silence, occupying ourselves with Him – totally and thoroughly lost in the hiding place of His presence.” ~ Chuck Swindoll
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
Psalm 37:7
and wait patiently for Him to act.
“In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business.” ~ William Penn
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
Psalm 62:2
for my hope is in Him.
“Rest in this – it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call, or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you.” ~ Jim Elliot
I understand that you may be thinking … “Deb, that’s easy for you to say. You should see my calendar and to-do list.”
You don’t have to take hours. Get up 10 minutes early. Turn off your tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks when you’re in the car. Pray during a 10-minute walk. I’m praying that these minutes with God will bless us so much that we’ll commit to increasing the time to 20 minutes after the first of the year.
May you be blessed with God’s peace as you sit in stillness with the One, who loves you most and best.
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Intentionally carving out time to be still and be in God’s presence is exactly what this season should be all about, Deb. That’s precisely what I’m doing during this Advent season. Thanks for all the inspiration here, my friend. Let’s do this together!
I’m with you, Martha! I want to pause to breathe and listen throughout this season of sharing His love. Blessings and HUGS!
Amen!
One of the first things I remember doing, years ago, when I started walking with my Saviour, was turning the radio off during my ride to work. Life had become too much, too noisy. I did it so that there would be 20 minutes of quiet. I think that’s when I first heard Him say, “Come…as you are…I will give you rest”. I was so tired back then. So so tired, but He kept His promise, He keeps His promises. I know that now.
That’s a wonderful tip, JoAnne. Thank you! We don’t turn the noise off very often and just finding 20 min. to sit quietly in prayer is a great blessing. We can not only share our thoughts with the Lord but we give Him a chance to whisper is wisdom to us. I love that word He shared with you. I will hold on to that myself. God bless you!
I love too, “In quietness and confidence will be your strength.” Not sure it is quoted right, but the message is there. God is my strength. I love my quiet time in the early morning with God. And, I admit, that at times I get distracted by my racing mind.
Today, as always, this was an excellent message. Jesus is the reason we are celebrating and that is most important.
God Bless You, my friend, the way you bless me with your beautiful spirit and wisdom.
PS,
I love your prayers.
You quoted it perfectly, Sue! Thank you for sharing it. I with you, I love sitting with my Bible, journal, coffee, and pup each morning. My day doesn’t feel complete without it. Thanks for being you, dear friend! God bless you!
I needed this today! Thanks again Deb for working for the Lord! I woke up today overwhelmed by all that is to be done before the holiday. I am in the Doctor’s waiting room ( well visit) reading this and taking deep breaths. I feel better already! It doesn’t matter where you are, or when it is, as long as you pause and take the time to be with God. The Holy Spirit will comfort and keep you. Appreciate the reminder!
I’m so glad it blessed and encouraged you, Emmie! I pray your Doctor visit went well and that your Christmas celebration is abundantly blessed! God be with you!