Silence
Larry McGuire of Gilbert, AZ, USA
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him. -Isaiah 30:18
I sit
Waiting…
Trying to come up with something to write; something to say about Lent.
I sit, I wait. Silence. No ideas or images. Silence.
Is this what it’s like for those whispering their plea to God? Silence?
Is this the feeling people have expressed for centuries as they wailed in deep pain? Silence?
I sit. I wait. Speak, Lord. Stir words in my mind. Silence.
Maybe I should listen to music because that usually inspires me. Sometimes it takes me where God wants me to go; sometimes its Alleluia, other times it’s forgive me, and almost always it takes me to surrender. This time? Silence.
God, speak so I can finish this task. Silence.
Maybe that’s the point. I am expecting God to speak the answers to my questions; inspire me for what I need so I can move on to the next task. Silence.
What if my task is simply this: sit, listen, wait in the silence and allow that to be the reality of my day? A listening soul to a listening God.
So, I sit
Waiting
Silence. Peace.
Prayer Phrase
I surrender into your love.
Spiritual Practice
Centering Prayer
Set a timer for 20 minutes. (If that feels like too much at first, choose a time that will be comfortable for you as a starting place, committing to expand that time in future prayer.) Allow the rhythm of your breath to draw you deeper and deeper into silence. As you breathe, claim one sacred word (Christ, peace, grace, trust, etc.) emerging in you as an anchor to return you to the intention of your prayer when your thoughts begin to wander. Gently release the thoughts and images that come, making space for presence to the One who is with you here and now. Release, return, “be vulnerable to divine grace” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:10b).
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
