Psalm 46
Today, as the Underground, we come together in prayer and fasting.
Strategic Focus
Psalm 46
Read verse 1-3
God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble — more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you.”
Look up — God our Father is within and between every season. Mightily able and ever-present during change, pain, and disquiet. Rest in the attentiveness of the presence of our God and breathe.
Look in — What we pay attention to, we remember. What we remember is the undercurrent of the environments we enter into. Place your hands on your lap, palms facing up to signify a willingness to freely give God these areas of focused attention in exchange for the kindness of His gaze. We let go.
Be still — Notice the rhythm of your breath relax and lengthen. Feel the beating of your heart respond to the gentleness of the presence of God around you.
Pray — “Father, your kindness invites my attention to be given to you. Your power on loving display in my life is the quiet my soul desires. In you alone, I seek and find refuge. Thank you for setting this moment aside for us.”
Pause in His Presence
Read verse 4-7
God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places. God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice, and the earth begins to disintegrate before him. Here he comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!
Look up — Not only is Jesus our King, but he is the most faithful friend we will ever know. He is perfect Love always and only pouring out, relentless in his refusal for us to do without the overflowing might of his love for us. Rest in surrender to the lover of our souls and breathe.
Look in — The voice we choose to believe is the source of our life’s outpouring. Past wounds dug wells that ensure a steady stream of fear and isolation seeps into our daily thought life. He alone is our healer. Position your hands to receive cleansing streams born of the very dwelling place of God. We trade our pain for his beauty.
Be still — Pay attention to the peaceful stillness of the air around you. Feel the tension and constriction in your shoulders and neck calm and rest as you bask in the love of God welling up within and around you.
Pray — “Jesus, no other voice purifies and heals my wounds like yours. I give you access to the places in my heart that feel out of control and hidden from you. I choose to believe what you say about me.”
Pause in His Presence
Read verse 8-11
Everyone, look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God. For he brings both ruin and revival. He’s the one who makes conflicts end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon of war. Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!
Look up — The Holy Spirit waits to joyfully lavish the comfort of his surpassing power and authority upon us. The longing of his heart is for us to draw near to him—surrendering every anxiety and doubt—without hindrance. We rest in the freedom of the presence of God and breathe.
Look in — Our reluctance to surrender is attached to a belief that no one is coming for us. The hands that fashioned us will never abandon their creation. The power that wove us together in our mother’s womb is mighty and active on our behalf. Raise your hands, acknowledging the only source of our help and strength in all circumstances.
Be still — We feel the soles of our feet connected to the floor, solid on the foundation of the might of our God.
Pray — “Holy Spirit, I give you access and permission to take over completely as my soul’s guardian and protector. I set down what was too heavy for me to carry and pick up the easy and light burden of your joy.”
Pause in His Presence