Vol. 19 No. 17 | April 23, 2017
Some of us are more aware of them than others. The voices, they are always there. I am not talking about strange psychotic or disturbing ‘people would be worried’ voices. I am talking about the voices inside of our heads and heart that overpower us and create confusion and anxiety, but at other times calm our spirits and bring us peace and harmony.
Jesus heard the voices.
“You cannot be the Son of God. You are a carpenter’s son.”
“Jesus, You should demonstrate Your power in such a dramatic way to show people who You really are.”
“Jesus, put my sons in positions of leadership in Your kingdom!”
“Jesus change these stones to bread. Jesus worship me and I will give You all these kingdoms. Jesus throw yourself off this high place and prove to me Your loyalty and dedication.”
“Jesus, who do You think you are?”
Jesus heard the voices, yet He stayed true to His nature and to His calling.
Thinking about the voices led me to pray this prayer and similar ones many times.
Father, I hear the voices. They come from all directions. They come from friends who want me to succeed. They come from those who may want to see me fail. Father, help me discern between the voices so that I know when to listen to my head and when to listen to my heart.
Father, silence the voices that tell me that what I do is insignificant. Silence the voices that tell me I am too good to do this, or that I am not good enough. Silence the voices who speak negativity to my heart.
Father, increase the volume of the voices that say this is a good thing, you are a good person, you are doing great things, you are touching lives, you are helping people find peace and hope. Increase the volume of the voices that say this is where God wants you and you are doing what He wants you to do.
Father, silence the voices that invoke fear. Increase the volume of the voices that instill confidence and trust in You.
Father, silence the voices that try to tear me down by drawing me away from You. Increase the voices that lift me up and draw me closer to You.
Father, silence the voices that tell me to be suspicious, skeptical, cynical and judge those who are different from me. Increase the voices that tell me to be open, to be trusting, and to love all people.
Father, silence the voices that remind me of my sins and failures. Increase the volume of those voices that remind me of Your forgiveness and the victories that You and I have enjoyed through Your strength.
The voices are real, Father. Some are good and some are bad. Father, help me discern between the voices and know which ones need to be silenced and which ones need to be heard.
Father, help me hear Your voice above all others.
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2017. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.