SILENCE
Photo by Ethan Sykes on Unsplash
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” // Psalm 46:10
Why Engage It?
Our lives and the world around us are noisy! Constant media, voices, to-do lists, expectations, and a barrage of environmental sounds. It’s become so normal that when we happen to discover ourselves in a quiet place, it can be uncomfortable or even frightening. Engaging the practice of silence is one of the most essential Christian practices because it teaches us to still our hearts and minds and listen for God’s spirit.
Most Christians, even during times of prayer, rarely just sit in silence, waiting on God. If we want to more deeply know, experience, and hear from God, silence is a primary way to develop our capacity to listen for and to the Holy Spirit.
How to Practice It
Supplies: Pen, journal, timer, and a quiet spot away from noise and traffic
Time: 5-30 minutes
If silence is new to you, less is more! This will be challenging, and your mind will likely go flying all over the place. Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Before you start, set a timer for either 5 minutes. (Don’t skip the timer! It eliminates the distraction of worrying about the time.)
Grab a journal or some paper and write down a short biblical phrase at the top. Something like “the Lord is my shepherd” from Psalm 23. Leave the rest of the page blank. As you start the timer, do your best to set your heart and mind on Christ. As it wanders (which it will), that short biblical phrase can help reorient you. If to-do-list items or things you need to remember come into your mind during silence, jot them down on your paper. Let the thought enter, jot it down, let it go, and come back to your short biblical phrase.
Your aim is to be still and silent, to be fully with and listen to the Holy Spirit. Stick with it even if it’s hard at first. Set your timer for longer periods of time as you become more used to silence. (The timer simply allows your brain to stop worrying about what time it is and how much time you have left.)