StopBreatheListenBe Still

In a world that moves too fast and places little value on quiet times, the practice of contemplative prayer offers rest to your soul and invites God's presence into your life.

This thoughtful book, inspired by the best-selling DVD of the same name, invites you into the joy and peace that can be found in the age-old practice of contemplative prayer and features writings from some of today's most highly respected authors and speakers, including:

• Max Lucado

• Dr. Henry Cloud

• Philip Yancey

• Michelle McKinney Hammond

• Richard Foster

• Dallas Willard

• Dr. Calvin Miller

• Ken Gire

In these pages you will be introduced to the practice of lectio divina, which simply means "sacred reading." Using Scripture and silence, you will learn to invite God's presence and direction into your life through the thirty-one meditations in this beautifully illustrated book.

You don't have to be a scholar or a saint to experience contemplative prayer or enjoy God's divine companionship. As you walk through these thirty-one days, you will grow daily into a deeper, more satisfying prayer life with God. Open the book. Be still. Find rest for your soul.

Compiled by Amy and Judge Reinhold.

Contents

Acknowledgments 1

Introduction: Reclaiming the Art of Christian Meditation — Dr. Henry Cloud 3

Introduction: Fall More Deeply in Love with God — Amy and Judge Reinhold 11

What in the World Is Lectio Divina? — Richard Foster 16

How to Practice Lectio Divina Using This Book 18

Day 1: All Ears to the Father — Richard Foster 26
Be Still Moment: Find Your Quiet Place
Meditation: Isaiah 32:17-18

Day 2: The Savior's Pace — Dr. Mark Brewer 32
Be Still Moment: Make a Plan
Meditation: Luke 12:16-21

Day 3: Be, Not Do — Michelle McKinney Hammond 38
Be Still Moment: Being versus Doing
Meditation: John 6:35-38

Day 4: He Is All You Need — Stormie Omartian 44
Be Still Moment: Simply Being in God's Presence
Meditation: John 14:1-7

Day 5: Wearing Down God's People — Watchman Nee 50
Be Still Moment: Add Be Still Time to Your Schedule
Meditation: Isaiah 40:28-31

Day 6: Rely on God's Guidance — Cynthia Heald 56
Be Still Moment: Keep Quiet and Listen
Meditation: Luke 10:38-42

Day 7: Information or Inspiration? — Max Lucado 62
Be Still Moment: Seek God's Direction
Meditation: Isaiah 55:10-12

Day 8: Escape to God — Tim Lundy 68
Be Still Moment: Dare to Listen with Humility
Meditation: Mark 8:22-26

Day 9: The Meeting Place — Dallas Willard 74
Be Still Moment: Grow in the Discipline of Meeting God
Meditation: Mark 14:32-38

Day 10: Hurry Ruins the Soul — William Wilberforce 80
Be Still Moment: Fatten Up Your Soul
Meditation: Luke 16:10-13

Day 11: Listen to Him — Stormie Omartian 86
Be Still Moment: Fast from Activity
Meditation: Matthew 17:1-7

Day 12: The Voice of God — Richard Foster 92
Be Still Moment: Discern the Voice of God
Meditation: Joshua 1:8-9

Day 13: Floodlight of the Spirit — J. I. Packer 98
Be Still Moment: Shine the Light on Jesus
Meditation: John 1:14-18

Day 14: Fear of Silence — Michelle McKinney Hammond 104
Be Still Moment: Don't Be Afraid
Meditation: John 15:1-4

Day 15: Who Is in Control? — Dallas Willard 110
Be Still Moment: Surrender Your Control
Meditation: Psalm 145:13-19

Day 16: Where to Begin — Madame Guyon 116
Be Still Moment: Learn to Love Silence and Rest
Meditation: 2 Samuel 22:29-37

Day 17: Wasting Time with God — Philip Yancey 122
Be Still Moment: Spend Time with Your Friend
Meditation: Ephesians 3:14-21

Day 18: NCAA Prayer — Richard Foster 128
Be Still Moment: Practice His Presence
Meditation: Luke 16:10-13

Day 19: Hungry for God — Calvin Miller 134
Be Still Moment: Develop an Appetite for the Divine
Meditation: Philippians 2:1-4

Day 20: Reshape Your Thinking — Dallas Willard 140
Be Still Moment: Take God at His Word
Meditation: Matthew 14:26-33

Day 21: No Such Thing as Self-Help — Dr. Henry Cloud 146
Be Still Moment: Accept God's Help
Meditation: 2 Peter 1:3-4

Day 22: Let God Rewrite the List — Michelle McKinney Hammond 152
Be Still Moment: Order Your Day
Meditation: Luke 9:10-17

Day 23: Is Your God Too Puny? — Dr. Jerry Root 158
Be Still Moment: Your God Is Big Enough
Meditation: Psalm 16:5-11

Day 24: Stillness Is a Gift — Elisabeth Elliot 164
Be Still Moment: Take Back the Time
Meditation: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Day 25: The Eye of the Storm — Ginny Owens 170
Be Still Moment: Bring God into Your Storm
Meditation: Psalm 95:1-7

Day 26: With All Your Heart — Saint Augustine 176
Be Still Moment: Live Out Your Love
Meditation: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Day 27: God Is an Activist — Calvin Miller 182
Be Still Moment: Speak God's Word Back to Him
Meditation: John 15:5-8

Day 28: The Thin Place — Dr. Jerry Root 188
Be Still Moment: Create Your Own Thin Place
Meditation: Psalm 19:1-6

Day 29: Ocean or Birdbath? — Calvin Miller 194
Be Still Moment: Explore the Depths of God
Meditation: 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

Day 30: Nourish Your Soul — Madame Guyon 200
Be Still Moment: Feed on His Word
Meditation: Mark 10:46-52

Day 31: Waiting Peacefully — Elisabeth Elliot 206
Be Still Moment: Give Yourself Completely to God
Meditation: John 14:25-27

Beyond the 31 Days 211

Helpful Hints 212

Scripture References 215

Permission Notices 217

About the Authors 221

About the Illustrator 223