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In silent prayer we are communing with God, only without the use of words. This type of prayer requires us to remember that He is always present with us, and is for us, not against us. It is a coming to terms with this reality by letting go of our misguided efforts to earn what He has already offered to us freely. Our shared presence, enjoying being with one another (God and me), is the gift of this prayer. And sitting in silence with a God who is so very present with us purifies us from the need to do, say, or feel something in order to end up with a sense of closeness to Him. Being with God, being at peace with God, and feeling His overwhelming love for us that is not based on anything I can do or accomplish, is the very blessing we seek in silent prayer.
"Distraction in prayer is a sign that I'm a human being. It's impossible to engage in silent prayer without the ongoing wrestling match of the outer and inner voices that besiege us. Distraction, then, becomes a means of reunion with God." - Rich Villodas
"Silent prayer is one of the greatest gifts we have to experience a deeply formed life in Christ. At the core of silent prayer is the commitment to establish relationship with God based on friendship rather than demands." - Rich Villodas
"Silent prayer is the practice of focusing our attention upon God through the simplicity of shared experience. It's surrender of our words to be present with the Word (Jesus)." - Rich Villodas
Psalm 139:1-12 NIV (being known by God and always in His Presence)
Psalm 139:1-12 NIV (being known by God and always in His Presence)
1 You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and You lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.
Just like in this scene from the movie UP, we are being invited to sit side by side with God and enjoy His loving Presence
Silent Prayer Steps
Silent Prayer Steps
Acknowledge His Presence > Enjoy Being In His Presence > Return To His Presence (when distracted)
1. Acknowledge His Presence with you.
2. Enjoy being in His Presence, without having to speak or listen. This is all about being versus doing.
3. Return when distracted, as needed, to the God who embraces you as you are. You are fully loved and fully received, each and every time! Don't waste time and energy trying to explain your distractions or earn your way back to Him. Just pop back up into enjoying His Presence (step #2). This is the proper response to such a welcoming, forgiving, and loving God.
NOTE: Try silent prayer for 1-5 minutes or more. Remember that you are stretching a muscle that often doesn't get used. You are building stamina to be before Him without the need to perform in having to earn that unmerited love and favor. In this silent prayer you are living out practically what you believe in theory, which is that God is with you, is for you, and fully receives you.
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