Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)
In Step 11 of Alcoholics Anonymous the purpose of prayer and meditation is to help us learn how to hear God and to sensitize us to a way of life that is being revealed to us through the reading of His word. Through prayer, we are in touch with a loving and powerful God who is already at work changing our lives. When we read His word and listen to what He has to say, God will respond and reveal His good and pleasing and perfect will to us.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (Jeremiah 33:3; James 1:5-6; NIV)
In the past, when life became overwhelming, we used our addictions as a hiding place. Now that we are in recovery, life at times still feels overwhelming, and sometimes even more so, because we aren't self-medicating to cover the pain. Like a ship at sea we need a safe harbour where we can find protection from the storms that arise. God is available to be that safe harbour as we turn our attention to His Word as recorded in the Bible, and seek through prayer and meditation to hear His voice.
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT)
Whenever we call on His name, God is always ready to shield and protect us from the storms of life. We need never doubt that the Lord hears us and is aware of our troubles. The real question is whether or not we are hearing Him. This is why we are encouraged to daily seek to improve our conscious contact with God.
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