Advent Series: Let My Words Be Few
“He waits to be wanted” A.W. Tozer | A Guided Prayer Exercise on Light
I was recently visiting a church and during their worship set they spontaneously sang a few bars of the early 00’s song “Let My Words Be Few” by Matt Redman. It’s short and sweet — and one of those songs where the melody stays in your head long after listening to it. I hadn’t heard the song in over 15 years since my junior high youth group days. Here’s a refresher of the lyrics:
You are God in Heaven
And here am I on earth
So I’ll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with youThe simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to youAnd I’ll stand in awe of you [Jesus]
And I’ll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You
As the church was singing this refrain over and over I was overcome with two competing thoughts. The first: I was so excited to be signing such a nostalgic song from my childhood and this evoked unique emotions in me. The second: the lyrics were hitting me different this time around as I began to wonder, “do I live this out?” and “how do people feel singing these words?”
See, in many evangelical churches today our worship songs center around what God can do for us; blessing us, rescuing us, or making a way. When singing this song though, I felt refreshed by the invitation to simply proclaim the awe and reverence of the Maker of heaven and earth. Simultaneously, I felt convicted that I need to do this more.
“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2–3
On first glance this verse might feel harsh. But contextually the author of Ecclesiastes was simply reminding us of who God is. Can you think of the last time you sat in silence before God simply basking in His character? This posture of “letting words be few” is one of the ways we can offer praise and adoration to God.
Silent Night. Holy Light.
It makes me think about this season of Advent. One of the universal traditions for people from all cultures is admiring Christmas lights. It’s sort of odd if you think about it… we all decided that for this one particular holiday we’d put strings of lights on our houses, on the streets, around our trees… some towns have even developed giant light installations for people to drive through. Even candle sales statistically go up. (Did you know that the global candle market is a multi-billion dollar industry?)
What is it about these lights?
There’s a blissful wonder that makes you want to stare for hours. Some nights I just sit in our living room with a candle and the fireplace going, staring at our tree glistening with its golden lights. It’s beautiful. It’s magical. Words aren’t necessary.
Dear reader, with this post I want to invite you to spend a few minutes in some guided prayer, meditating on The Light… the ultimate light we look to; Jesus. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
If you’re reading this in a hurry perhaps bookmark it for later. I encourage you to carve out 10–15 minutes of your morning, midday, or evening to practice this with me.
Very often in prayer we are talking to God — or better said, talking at God. We are presenting hundreds of our requests before Him. This isn’t bad at all, in fact Jesus himself models praying prayers of petition before God in the Lord’s Prayer (“give us this day our daily bread”) and the apostle Paul teaches us “in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6). God is our Heavenly Father and He loves hearing us ask in faith for what we want… and in turn He gives us what we need.
But there are other forms of prayer — and during Advent in particular, I want to invite you to practice just being with God. To create space to reflect on who Jesus is and who we are because of His arrival. Instead of using a lot of our own words, we are praying Scripture aloud. Instead of requesting what we need or want, we celebrate in gratitude what we already have in Him.
Let’s try this together. Disclaimer: there’s a lot of Bible verses to chew on, you’re welcome ;)
1. Breathe.
Slow breaths in and out. Put your phone away, drown out any noise or distraction around you. Light a candle. Try to center your whole mind, body, and heart on God. Make it special; you are spending this intentional time with Him.
Pray: God, in this moment I confess that I want my words to be few. Instead of bringing requests to You, I simply want to direct my gaze at the glory of Your Word that holds power and life. Holy Spirit, reveal something new to me during this time. Thank you for your closeness. This time is for you and me. Use this truth to renew my heart and mind. Amen.
2. Reflect on God as light
Spend a few minutes reading these verses a few times over. Read it both in silence and aloud if you can. Try to pay attention to your inflection as you read. What words or phrases are highlighted to you? What feels new or confusing, even? Take this time to reflect on God’s character as light. Spend some time thanking God for who He is. (journal if that’s your thing)
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
— Isaiah 9:2, 6“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
— John 8:12
3. Reflect the gift of His light to you
When you’re ready to continue, spend some time meditating on these next few verses. Pay attention to the identity that Jesus has deposited on us as his children. What does having His light mean for how you live your life? Make it super practical and/or abstract depending on how you process.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps. 27:1
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another… and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
4. Surrender to hope.
In this final movement, as you have repeated the truth of the Bible over your life in prayer, take another minute or two to pause and contemplate what has made known to you. Think about how you feel right now vs. when you first sat down. Thank Him for the gift of just being with Him.
As you get ready to continue your day, take a final moment to surrender to Him. Open your hands physically if that’s helpful.
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you that time with you is always sacred. I marvel at who you are; the true LIGHT. May you awaken my heart and mind to the ways you want to open me up to your light today. Thank you for calling me to be light in this world, modeling after you. Equip me to be that light in all I say, do, and think. Light the path before me. I trust you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Post Script:
One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 19:6, but the Message translation:
This is how God’s Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
Why do I love it? It is one of the most beautiful illustrations of how much of a treasure God’s word is. If you’re in a season of doubt or deconstruction (or know someone who is) — one of the best ways to find Him is to keep seeking Him. After all,
