New Developments in the Field of Silence

June 26, 2008, 3:00 pm; posted by
Filed under Articles, Chloe, Featured  | 2 Comments

I\’ve tried silence as prayer a few times now. The first one was the hardest — sitting in the dark, trying to empty my mind of all the thoughts and songs crowding my brain. Once the critter that scurries around on the roof at night started up, and a pack of coyotes began howling, I realized I would not be able to concentrate.

The second time, I fell asleep while sitting up in bed. Note to self: sit in silence earlier. Also, get more sleep.

But then the other night I got some news, news that could either be nothing or be very, very bad. I was scared. I needed God, and I didn\’t know what to pray. So I sat there in silence, opening my mind and all the waves of thoughts going through it to the only One who could comprehend it all, and then do something about it.

I didn\’t try to organize my thoughts into cohesive ideas. I didn\’t try to summarize my complex emotions. And I didn\’t hide anything. Before, I felt like I could hide behind my Pharisaic prayers, but now, consciously acknowledging all my thoughts before God, I can\’t conceal anything.

When I got up, I felt calmer, more like I didn\’t have to worry about the situation. What came to my mind while I was on my knees were Paul\’s pivotal themes — faith, hope, and love. These, I think, are what God wants me to remember and practice tirelessly, whether or not the worst news comes.

“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him . . .”I Kings 19:11-13


Comments

2 Comments to “New Developments in the Field of Silence”

  1. David on June 27th, 2008 9:33 am

    Funny you should mention this. After the worship at our Bible Study last Thursday night a silence descended on us. We all just sat there feeling the same sense of God’s presence in a palpable way. It lasted for some time, 15 0r 20 minutes, before God gave our daughter a message from Jeremiah to preach.

  2. Chloe on July 2nd, 2008 1:37 am

    That’s amazing, Dave! I wish I could have been there.

    As a follow up, that potentially terribly news has not fulfilled its potential. It was a simple but hard-to-catch medical issue. Praise God!

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