“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

I was on a retreat this past weekend where the theme was welcoming God into our deepest thoughts in order to let him work on us.  For this to happen we need to be still before the Lord as the psalm encourages.  While I start most days with a time of prayer, I often find myself doing prayer rather than spending time WITH the Lord. 

I read scripture or the mass readings for the day or the Liturgy of the Hours but neglect to ask the Lord if he has something to say to me?  I will ask him to bless my day and my family and whatever may be on the schedule.

But I tend to be a doer like Martha in the story in Luke 10:38 – 42 where Jesus was visiting the home of Martha and Mary.  Martha got upset because Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him and not helping with the preparations for a meal.  Jesus’ response was, “Martha, Martha, you are upset and worry about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

It is clear that Jesus places a high priority on our listening to him.  While he is in us through our baptism and we benefit from his presence, we benefit even more when we take time to actively listen to him.  Just as I am asking him right now to put thoughts in my mind to write this blog, we can ask him in our prayer time and throughout the day to guide us in whatever we are doing —  responding to a deadline at work, resolving a conflict with a family member, or reacting to a stranger asking for a handout on a street corner. 

Our thoughts can be a battleground.  Satan loves to distract us in our thoughts about personal needs and desires, but focusing on God’s presence in us can offset that self-focus and bring God’s presence into the circumstances of our lives.  As John says in his first letter, “for he who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world.” 1John 4:4)

Do you do prayer or spend time with the Lord, listening to him?