Revelations Chapter 19

“Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.’” Revelation 19:6-7 (NASV)
 
A Prayer Over Our Children
Almighty God, fill my children’s mouth with Your praise, let them bow down and worship You. Clothe them with fine linen while You ready them to sup at the wedding feast. I pray their eyes will rest only on You, the faithful and true Word of God. Gather my children to You, oh King of Kings and Lord of Lords, so they may taste of Your conquering victory and triumph.
 
Lean
There we sat, two peas in a pod. Sweet Pea leaned against me. I, as her pillow, reclined against the couch. We lay quiet and serene. She with her book. Me with a little girl snuggled in my arms. Stillness crept into the room. Her head rested on my chest while my heart pulsed with peace. Silence. Quiet. Contentment. Only the sound of our breathing and turning pages filled the space. Yet in the stillness, a tenderness of heart swelled deep. We spoke not a word save for the mutual murmurings of “I love you.” My eyes closed, treasuring the gift of life in my arms.

And as I held my child, my thoughts turned heavenward. Surely, this must be what our heavenly Father feels when we take time to be with Him. How tender is His love when we curl at His feet. What joy must overflow when we sit in the stillness of His presence. For with nothing else but our breath before Him, intimate communion begins. In the quiet, an intertwining of hearts and spirits can meld into a sweetness of the soul.

Every word I uttered to my daughter was filled with tenderness and deep love. Then, to hear her verbalize her own sweet endearments, expanded my heart to greater proportions. How true of God this must also be. What sweet fragrance our expressions of love to Him must bring.

When quiet settles, distractions fade. In the stillness, our eyes can now fix more keenly upon the object of our affection. This intense focus upon our beloved deepens intimacy. Just like a child who leans against her mother, the resonant cords of our love bind us to our heavenly Father with greater clarity and depth when we press into Him. Even the apostle whom Jesus loved leaned against His chest. For when we feel and hear the heartbeat of the one whom you love and the one who loves you, how can deeper connections not be forged? The inroads can only deepen. The relationship strengthened.

May we take time to be still with God. Even when noise and confusion surrounds, may we quiet our minds before Him. Breathe deep His presence, dear friends. Rest your heads upon His chest and listen to His heartbeat. Press in and lean.

A Parent’s Prayer
Oh Lord, help me find rest in Your presence. Hold me close in Your arms so I can hear Your very heartbeat. Fill me with Your love and goodness, oh Lord. May You cast all distractions aside. Fix my eyes upon You, oh God. Fill and renew me this day.