I’ve been thinking about “devotion” while reading E.M. Bounds book on prayer. I’d like to be more “devoted” to God. I associate an attitude of devotion with quiet adoration. So practicing devotion is difficult for me, because my mind always seems to be moving.  I find meditation as hard to do as my staying calm in a traffic jam when I am already running late.

I also think devotion means presenting a quiet body, unmoving as one worships God. Friends think I am hyperactive.  Sitting still requires me to use wrist clamps and shackles in some cases, or a straight jacket when I’m really wound up.

The following are challenging thoughts excerpted and adapted from E.M Bounds. On Prayer. (pg. 91 – 95)

“Devotion is intimately connected with true prayer.  It furthers prayer, because prayer thrives in an atmosphere of true devotion.  The very essence of prayer is the spirit of devotion.  

“Moving about for God’s sake is not devotion. In fact, activity can be an unrecognized symptom of spiritual weakness. (Oh, ooh, my mind responds.)  Where there is much running around and stirring about, devotion is strangely lacking. (I’m in trouble.) Activity is often at the expense of prayer.  We may be praying without praying or singing without singing. 

“Seek to be devoted to God.  This attitude may or may not be one of busy-ness.  If there be a genuine spiritual life, a healthy activity will spring from it. (Good, there’s some hope for me.) Faith and devotion are the forces behind spiritual transformation, not the amount or intensity of one’s actions.” 

After reading these ideas, I told myself to drop down on my knee in an attitude of devotion to the Lord, and hold still.  I told myself to quiet my mind.

Now I wait upon the Lord.

As I do this, I am being renewed and transformed.

Join me.