SP #018: Caught in the Swirl, or Sitting at His Feet?

Happy New Year!

As we dive head first into a new year of life and contemplate the ways we can grow, improve, and live more intentionally, let’s put prayer at the TOP of the list this year.

In today’s chat, I’ll share my thoughts around why I believe the scriptures clearly teach that prayer isn’t an add-on, but rather the essential, central aspect of life.

Quote of the Week:

"Waiting before Jesus, sitting at His feet, listening to Him—these are the agents that draw the power and glory of God earthward!...If you don’t learn to discover the holy moments of His presence in your house, in your car, in your bedroom, in your prayer closet, or in your workplace, you will be caught in the swirl, eddying all around Jesus, and you’ll never encounter Him."

— Corey Russell, Teach Us To Pray

Scripture Passages:

1. “But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)

2. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

3. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Food For Thought:

Corey Russell’s words are a wake-up call to a world caught in frantic activity—even when it’s activity for Jesus. In Luke 10, Jesus commends Mary for choosing to sit at His feet and listen, while Martha is “caught in the swirl” of her tasks. It’s not that Martha’s work was wrong—it’s that she missed the one thing that is necessary: an encounter with Jesus. He shows us that the best use of our time and the most profitable thing we can do is to encounter Him and receive His words of life.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us of the power of stillness—of being fully present with the Lord. Whether it’s in your prayer closet, your car, or your workplace, God is waiting to meet you in the holy moments of your day. But these moments won’t happen by accident; they require intentionality.

What would it look like to stop and sit at Jesus’ feet in the midst of your daily swirl? To silence the noise, lean in, and encounter Him in the ordinary places of your life? The truth is, busyness—even for good things—can keep us from the best thing: His presence.

I often remind other believers that to be a “praying believer” is a false distinction. By saying "praying believer," the person is treating "believing" and "praying" as if they are separate attributes when, in your reality, they are fundamentally intertwined.

Belief is validated by action. The word ‘believe’ in the scriptures is the word ‘pistis’ in the Greek. Pistis is scripture is always commingled and accompanied by actions that proves its validity.

So to say you believe you have a personal savior and friend in Christ, and that you have the indwelling Spirit of God in you who leads, guides, and comforts you, but you do not talk to and listen to Him daily - I would argue you’re actually in need of deeper belief - a depth that becomes validated by action.

Like the father of the demonized boy, our cry in those moments should be “I believe. Help me with my unbelief!”

Let’s commit this year to believing more deeply in the value of communing with and talking to our Lord.

Prayer Prompt:

Lord Jesus,

Teach me to stop in the swirl of life and sit at Your feet. Open my eyes to the holy moments of Your presence around me—in my home, my work, and my quiet spaces. Help me to choose the one thing that is necessary: listening to You, drawing near, and encountering Your glory. May my life be centered not on my work for You, but on my relationship with you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Worship Song of the Week:

This song captures the idea of a burning passion for God within, describing the Holy Spirit's fire and its transformative power in our lives.

Engagement Challenge:

This week, look for one “holy moment” each day to simply stop and sit with Jesus. Whether it’s in your car, your home, or your workplace, take five uninterrupted minutes to pause, be still, and listen to Him. Write down what He speaks to your heart.

Support The Effort:

For the cost of a cup of coffee, you can help expand the reach of Spark Prayer to equip and encourage believers across the world to engage in a life of prayer.

As the Church grows in prayer, the world around us will change, and the Kingdom come. This is exactly what Jesus told us when the disciples asked him to teach them to pray.

So, 100% of resources go towards reaching others to equip them and spur them on to prayer - we aim to maintain next-to-zero overhead costs, no one at Spark Prayer is paid, we use all resources to reach more people. Join our support team today for a few bucks and pay it forward for others to experience and grow in the transformative power of prayer in their lives:

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