Have you become so accustomed to noise that you feel lost without it?

Recently I have become aware of the frustrations of partners who, as they pursue a deeper love relationship with the Lord, have discovered that He is drawing them into longer periods of silence alone with Him. This is a silence apart from active prayer, Bible study or even praising God; a time when He is saying, "Draw near to know Me and listen."

This is very hard for people today who have become conditioned to seeking something to fill the silent spaces. Some of you dislike being alone - even with God. Thus you find a rich, intimate prayer life difficult to sustain, even just before you go to bed.

Know that God wants to establish a beautiful, tranquil "garden" in your innermost being - a garden free from all the noise, busyness and harassment of the outside world; a garden exclusively for you and Him. He is telling you:

"A garden enclosed and barred is my sister, my (promised) bride; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed...(You have called me a garden, she said.)...Let my beloved come into his garden and eat its choicest fruits" (Song of Solomon, 4:12, 16, AMP)

Heavenly Father, I wish to please You. Please free me from my fear of silence, my nervousness over being alone, and my tendency to avoid being alone with You. Forgive me for always trying to fill the empty spaces with things outside of You. Help me to yield to and even enjoy tranquility. I want to be a "garden enclosed." In Jesus' Name, Amen.