Prayer to connect with God in the forest
Author: Whitney Hopler
Bible reading:
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, and trust in him. They shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which sends out its roots by the streams; when the heat comes, they shall not be afraid; their leaves are ever green; and in a year of drought they do not fear, but never bring forth fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV
Listen or read below:
There’s something about walking in the woods that quiets the noise of this fallen world. As soon as you step into the forest, the pace of your busy life begins to slow down. The noise of cars disappears, as does the pressure of stressful schedules and responsibilities. Trees tower overhead, leaves crunching beneath your shoes, and sunlight filters through the branches and spreads across the forest floor. All of this can elevate your perspective beyond your to-do list and encourage you to pay attention to your surroundings. It is easier to notice God’s presence in the forest than in the forest, because creation naturally points back to the Creator.
If you look at the trees around you, you’ll see that they’re not running around anxiously or trying to grow in a hurry. They just live with the confidence that their Creator will provide for them as God designed them to live.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 says that those who trust in the Lord are like a tree planted by the waters, stretching its roots out toward the stream. Even when the heat comes, the tree is not afraid. The leaves remain green and the plant continues to produce fruit even during periods of drought.
Some trees in the forest have been growing for generations. Over the years, they have faced storms, dry seasons, harsh winters, and intense summer heat. But they continue to stand, strongly rooted in the same place from which they started. A tree’s strength comes from its roots. Beneath the soil, an invisible network of roots extends outward and downward, silently sucking water and nutrients from below. These roots work constantly, even if people passing by don’t notice. Thanks to its hidden connections, trees can survive even in the harshest conditions.
Trust in God works in much the same way. Most of the time, trust develops quietly beneath the surface of life. It comes in everyday moments when we turn our thoughts to God instead of letting our worries take over. It deepens when you take your concerns to God in prayer instead of keeping them to yourself. That feeling grows stronger every time I remind myself that God’s wisdom extends far beyond what we can see.
Like roots slowly pushing through the soil, trust grows over time through steady habits. A walk in the forest will remind you of that truth. Every tree you pass is a vivid depiction of what it looks like to be connected to the Source of Life. Those trees don’t control the weather. You can’t stop the wind or make it rain. Their stability comes from staying firmly rooted near the water that sustains them.
God invites you to live in a similar way. Trusting God will similarly stabilize your life. You will still face difficult situations at times, but you will be able to overcome those challenges because you are rooted in a strong relationship with God.
When you need inspiration, take a walk in the woods. Notice the quiet strength of the surrounding trees and how their branches confidently reach for the sky. Imagine the roots of a tree beneath the soil spreading outward in search of water. God is inviting you to live with such trust. As you walk, connect with God in prayer. God will meet you where you are. God serves as your personal guide every step of your life. And you can trust that God will meet all your needs, just as He does for the trees around you.
Let’s pray:
Dear God, as I walk through this forest, I see the quiet strength of the trees around me. I want to trust you as much as I trust them. Its roots extend toward the water, allowing it to stand firm during storms. I want to root my heart in you, the living water that sustains and renews me.
Teach me to trust You more deeply every day. When worries try to distract me, remind me that you are my source of strength and peace. Grow my faith beneath the surface of my life as roots grow beneath the soil. Stay strong in your faith and keep your hope alive when difficult seasons come. Help me to draw near to You regularly as a tree draws water from a stream. May my trust in you deepen and my life become strong and fruitful.
Thank you, God. Amen.
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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anton Petrus
Whitney Hopler helps people discover the wonders of God and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at major media organizations including Crosswalk.com, the national publication of the Salvation Army USA, and Dotdash.com (producing the popular Angels and Miracles channel). She currently leads communications efforts at George Mason University’s Center for Human Services Advancement. Connect with Whitney on her website www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.
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