Have you ever gone on a God Hunt? A God Hunt begins when you teach yourself to look for God’s hand at work in the everyday occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
Somehow in all my years of Bible study, I missed this psalm. But I’ve been heeding the reminder of Mme. Guyon in her little book Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ to find Christ in the Scriptures by savoring the Word slowly, indeed by using a technique she calls Praying the Scriptures. Although Jeanne Guyon penned this Christian classic somewhere in the latter part of the 17th century, there is nothing archaic in her approach. She writes simply, mostly for the illiterate (with someone to read to them) and her goal is a practical, applicable understanding of what she teaches.
So I have been reading two psalms a day in the morning, and another two psalms at night. I have been reading them slowly, slowly and praying them back to God.
I love this blessing from the psalmist, and I’m amazed that I haven’t heard it quoted more as a congregational blessing in the many churches I’ve attended. It is filled with loving compassion, and I pass it along to you.
“In times of trouble, may the Lord
respond to your cry.
May the God of Israel keep you
safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably to your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory,
flying banners to honor our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.”
—Psalm 20:1-5
At the instruction of Mme. Guyon, read this slowly, savor it, pray it back to God. You may discover that you are suddenly experiencing an intimacy with the loving Father that has somehow been lost. This is what she writes:
“Here is how you should begin.
“Turn to the Scripture; choose some passage that is simple and fairly practical. Next, come to the Lord. Come quietly and humbly. There, before Him, read a small portion of the passage of Scripture you have opened to.
“Be careful as you read. Take in fully, gently and carefully what you are reading. Taste it and digest it as you read.”
Guyon then suggests that when a certain portion resonates with you deeply, you turn it into prayer. Try this with Psalm 20, only personalize it:
“In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to my cry…”
“May the Lord answer all my prayers…”
Who knows in what hidden depths you will find your God.
I spy God!
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Award-winning author Karen Mains has long had an interest in spiritual formation and the obedient Christian walk. She has written about the God Hunt in her book by the same name, The God Hunt: The Delightful Chase and the Wonder of Being Found. A hardback copy can be ordered from Mainstay Ministries for $10.00 plus $4.95 shipping and handling. Contact Karen at info@mainstayministries.org and she will be happy to autograph a copy for you.
Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags, Africa bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. They are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.