Isaiah 41:13 is one of my absolute favorite verses in the Bible. When I read this verse, and really believe the words, it brings so much comfort. It reminds me that God is with me always. He leads me, helps me, calms my fears. “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.'”
Often we find ourselves walking on unsteady ground, uncertain of where the path is leading. Perhaps we have taken the wrong path and are scared and lost, not knowing how to find our way back home. Maybe pain and suffering has become too much to bear, making us feel broken and alone. The best medicine for times like these is the pure, unconditional love of someone who really understands us and wants to help. That someone exists. His name is Jesus.
He “takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you”. When you pray, do you feel His firm grasp? Do you hear His voice? I can. Really. When I pray I can feel His presence, a feeling of safety and comfort. I can hear His reassuring voice that I am loved and forgiven and He will be with me always. My high school Religion teacher, Sr. Ellen Mary, taught us a way of praying that I continue to do thirty something years later. It’s a way to find solitude and quiet and “be” with Jesus, talking and listening, or even just resting in His presence. I’m going to do my best to illustrate the method to you since it has been such a gift to me and, hopefully, will be to you, too.
Sit comfortably (I guess you could lie down but when I learned we were sitting behind school desks – so I always sit!) and close your eyes. Picture yourself somewhere peaceful and alone. Perhaps you are on the beach, a mountain top or next to a firepit! It can be anywhere you want. Visualize the ground beneath you and imagine what it would feel like. What is the air around you like (warm, cool, smells like ocean air or perhaps fresh cut grass)? Imagine the noises you would hear (birds, waves or pure silence even). Where ever you choose, it should be peaceful without distractions! Sit quietly until you can really imagine yourself in this place. Take deep breaths and relax. Now, invite Jesus into the picture. (This can be a bit trickier than imagining the environment you are in, but hopefully you have some idea or thought of what Jesus may have looked like.) Picture Him coming to you, He’s so close, and then He sits next to you. Talk to Him. Tell Him what is on your mind. No one else can hear you. You are alone with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God. Be quiet for a little while and see what thoughts go through your mind. Is He telling you something you need to hear?
It will take practice. Prayer after all is a discipline. I promise, though, the more you sit in solitude and prayer like this, the easier it becomes and the more you will be aware of His presence – listening and guiding and holding your hand. I can even feel him hugging me when I am with Him. And, the closer I feel to God, the more I believe in His promises, such as Isaiah 41:13. Friend, we are not alone in this sometimes scary, always unpredictable world. He is walking beside us, holding our hand. Please take comfort in that truth.
Oh and by the way – I love listening to Christian worship music and I know the prefect song to go along with this verse. I Am Not Alone by Kari Jobe. I urge you to look it up and give it a listen! It’s beautiful.
Lastly, during the week ahead I will be praying about Romans 14: 13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” I’ll post my thoughts next Sunday. And, as always, if you have any thoughts about today’s post, I’d love to hear them.
Love, Melissa
Melissa Pillone Speaks 