By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

The words above came to my mind one morning during my prayer time. Yes, I do get up early, around 5 a.m.  Here is the “why” and the “how” of it.

During the first few decades of my life, prayer happened for me “on the fly,” meaning, in the midst of my achieving “the stuff of life.”  No doubt God blessed that, but He had something more in mind.  I was about to experience an exciting venture with God, one in which prayer became a response to God’s movement within my soul.  Here is how it all started:

Every morning after getting out of bed I head for the kitchen–and coffee.  This trek meant passing through a hallway, the dining room—then into the kitchen. On the way, I pass the opening to our entry and the off-the-traffic-pattern formal living room.  This room is seldom used.  What I can see of the living room, as I pass down the hall, is limited.  One morning, as I sleepily make my way toward the kitchen, I hesitate slightly.  For days, I have noticed something different about that living room.  There is an uncanny sense of someone being in there.  So, on this particular morning, I slowly venture into the living room and look around, wondering.  Although I cannot see anyone, it definitely feels like someone is here.  I asked out loud, “Is this You? Lord, are You in here?”

Instantly, I feel a resounding warmth in my heart.  Then, in the midst of this sense of “Presence,” I mentally hear these words spoken within, “Come, and be with me.”  I feel assured these words are not from my own thoughts.  I sit down, nonplussed, yet deeply touched.  I begin to let my heart sink into the presence of the Lord. I feel superbly appreciative in perceiving that God indeed desires my company.  How can I doubt it, given this kind of invitation!

From then on, for several years, I went into that room first thing every morning seeking to encounter God’s presence.  It was a wonderful time for experiencing prayer, finding it to be less about talking and more about listening.  Reading the Scriptures held a prominent place during this early morning time of meeting “with the Lord.” I listened to what God wanted me to hear–and to live out.  Sometimes, the presence of the Lord was felt so strongly that I would weep.

These early morning times began a serious and life-changing quest for me.  I became more and more involved in prayerful listening.  While worshiping during these times, I realized endorphin flows come while rejoicing in the Lord!  For a number of years, I spent the first two hours of every day with the Lord in that room.  It was my “place apart,” where I could worship, write, and pray.  This was not only a wonderful experience, but a lot of inner healing was taking place during this practice.  And, this was reflected in my physical body.  I had been sick, forming blood clots in my legs and abdomen–plus at times these would  travel into my heart and lungs . . . I was trying to stay alive. Now, I am getting well!  It was happening ever-so-slowly, through my being obedient to how the Holy Spirit was leading my soul.  I called it “My Get Well Program.” At my last birthday our oldest son said, “Mom, you have lived longer than most Americans. He remembered those hospital stays, early in my life—and times of hearing an ambulance come for me.

In looking back, I know God was preparing me for ministry in chaplaincy. Health and strength were springing up through this daily practice of prayer, listening and expressing gratitude to God. I was learning how to hear the voice of the Lord speaking within, which became an essential part of my work in emergency rooms, trauma settings and at hospital bedsides.  There, people are greatly disturbed, in pain and uncertainty, needing God’s help. Looking back, now, over 25 years of ministering as a chaplain, I rely on hearing the Lord’s guidance. Working “while listening” He provided the insights as needed within each situation with patients, yes, but also within situations with family and friends. It is all about learning to listen within prayer. God is on the journey with us—and He wants to speak!

Author information:

Joy Le Page Smith is a Board Certified clinical chaplain.  Author of books and blog. View — FREE — her children’s book, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places, at Healing-with-Joy.com. Multiple helps can also be found on her website, for people who are struggling for varied reasons.