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There is a marked need for this spiritual practice of Silence in our lives today, more so for the kind of society we live in. We live in a cacophony, even chaos, of noise, and this leads to inner and outer division.
We are a divided, distracted people. Our little tolerance for prayer and quiet is witness to our greed for sensationalism and distractions. The inner world is too foreign to most of us.
Our world contrasts sharply with the inner world of silence. We are bombarded daily with the noise of crowded residences, workplaces, and entertainment sites. The clamorous voices of the media are always trying to get our attention. We live amidst the seemingly relentless roar of our machines, our tools, and our toys.
Psalm 131 is a beautiful psalm on the contented and quiet soul, a soul trusting in God in childlike faith, and enjoying peace:
1 LORD, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I do not get involved with things
too great or too difficult for me.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself
like a little weaned child with its mother;
I am like a little child.
3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
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I encourage you to practice prayerful Silence daily. Let it be to commune spirit with Spirit, and to know the release of cares that weigh you down and distract you. Choose set times, and having a guide - like a breviary, or a version of the Canonical Hours - might help. You can get online guides to practicing set times of prayer, as well as Scripture readings for each day of the year (a lectionary).
I follow the excellent guide Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community. This provides three to four times of prayer daily. I do four: morning, midday, evening, night before retiring to sleep (or, compline).
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*All translations are from Holman Christian Standard Bible. The story about Killinger is from Brian Craig Larson. The story is at www.holwik.com. Holwick sites the title "When They've Heard It All Before": Source "Online Leadership Journal (America Online)."
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com . Brian is in need of more funding to purchase a desk-top computer.
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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