Scripture clearly asserts the value of silence in our lives. “Be still and know that I am God.” But do we know what it means to really be perfectly still? Do we slow down enough? How motivated are we to set aside time for silence and solitude?
The reality of Psalm 46:10 often seems elusive in the fast-paced information age we now live in. Along with the demands of everyday life, we also face constant bombardment from cell phones and numerous forms of digital communication that constantly vie for our attention. The need for practicing the discipline of silence, solitude and contemplative prayer is greater now than ever before.
Solitude is necessary for experiencing the intimate presence of God. Solitude is not ignoring or rejecting community. It is not isolation. It is not running away from people, responsibility or obligations. It is a call to allow myself to enter that space away from all the usual spaces that crowd my life.
Silence creates the sacred space within which we can hear his voice. In the fresh, uncluttered, static-free space of silence, the Lord of the Sabbath can meet us face to face.
Stillness ensures that we then act in a way that honors God and represents him well to the world around us. These are disciplines that must be developed, nurtured and protected. “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
So how do we develop this discipline of silence in the midst of the constant currents we swim against? How do we mark out space for silence and solitude in the midst of the busyness of life?
I used to think the answer was balance; finding ways to balance busyness with rest; hectic seasons with quiet seasons; stressful times with calm times. However, none of us can control the currents we swim against, neither can we adjust their intensity in such a way that we experience perfect balance at all times in our lives!
The answer isn’t balance. It’s all about rhythms. Scripture points us towards the discipline of establishing intentional rhythms in our lives so we deliberately take time out for rest and renewal in the midst of the busyness of life. We do not wait till a crisis hits. Nor do we wait till we’re completely exhausted. We simply discipline ourselves to make time for silence and solitude so we are constantly filled and strengthened to face the currents of life. Think relationship, not transaction. When we are transactional in the way we relate to God, we fall into a pattern of reaching out to receive only when in seasons of deep need. When we are committed to relationship, spending time with Him on a regular basis remains a priority, something we will gladly stay committed to.
Contemplative prayer is a powerful way of practicing silence and solitude. The Merria-Webster dictionary defines “contemplation” as “the act of thinking deeply about something, looking carefully at something, considering with attention, or regarding steadily and thinking deeply.” It is an act of will, a conscious choice.
Words that describe contemplation are: chew over, consider, cogitate, ponder, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull over, pore over, question, revolve, ruminate, study, think about, think over, turn, weigh, wrestle with, etc.
Consider the Latin roots of the word: “con” means “with” and “template” means “space marked out or clearly defined for observation.” We do not meditate in a vacuum. I cannot emphasize enough that we must be very careful in choosing what we meditate on. As believers we must choose God’s word and we must not dwell on anything that contradicts Scripture. Contemplative prayer we practice must be Christ-centered and honor Him.
Lectio Divina (“divine reading” in Latin) explains what contemplative prayer is at its best. This method of prayer was established in the 6th century by Saint Benedict and has continues to be practiced today. It is a simple but powerful method of praying with Scripture that engages with four disciplines – reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.
Lectio Divina combines reading Scripture with prayer in a way that is transformational. It treats Scripture not just as text to be grasped with our heads, but as the “Word of God” that has the power to transform us from the inside out because God is its author and source. Praying this way cannot help but change us from the inside out.
Practical steps in praying this way look like this:
Start with prayer. Make sure your heart is ready. Invite God to come and speak. Ask Him for wisdom and understanding. Most importantly, tell Him that you trust Him to speak to you and that you are willing to listen and obey.
Lectio (reading): Read a passage of scripture. What does it say as a whole? Read it again – line by line this time, pausing to think about what each line means. Pay attention to the words and phrases used.
Meditatio (meditation): Think over the passage you have just read. Remember, God speaks to us through scripture. Ask, what is God saying to me through this specific passage? Think about the words or phrases caught your attention during the reading? Write down your impressions.
In meditation we welcome the Word of God into our lives in such a way that it is no longer remains static text or mere words on a page. We embrace it for what it is – truth that transforms us.
Oratio (prayer): Talk to God in silent prayer. This is your time to respond to Him. Acknowledge God for who He is, for the ways you’ve experienced Him personally. Thank Him for what He showed you through the passage you just read. If He showed you something you need to be sorry about, let Him know. Talk to Him about what the passage is moving you to do. Ask Him for strength and wisdom.
Oratio includes spontaneous prayers of love, thanksgiving, sorrow, repentance, dedication, adoration, and petition.
If you feel led at this point, go back and read the passage again and spend more time meditating on it. You may want to read related passages that God may impress upon you.
Contemplatio (contemplation): When you are done reading, listening, and talking to God, rest in un-rushed silence. Sit quietly in His loving presence. Take time to absorb it all in, not just with your mind, but also with your heart and will (i.e. thoughts, emotions and actions).
Take time to think about all that you have received and how it will now impact your life. Scripture is transformational. Ask: What are specific things I must do to follow through what God is showing me? How will this impact/change my life? Write down your impressions.
End with thanking God for faithfully speaking to you and for inspiring you with His Word. Pray and ask God to help you be faithful with what you have just received.
Lectio Divina simply provides a framework for reading, meditation and prayer. It is not a list of rigid rules to be followed! Let God lead you. The key is that we learn to relax and spend time in silence, allowing God to speak to us.
“There are probably as many different ways of praying as there are people offering prayers. Besides, there is nothing unbiblical or anti-Christian about solitude, silence, and contemplation. Far from it! After all, it was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire that the Lord spoke to Elijah, but rather in the ‘still, small voice’ of intimate, personal communion (1 Kings 19:12). David highlights the value of this type of spiritual discipline in Psalm 4:4: ‘Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.’” (Timothy Masters, Focus on the Family)
The Bible gives us many examples of practicing silence, solitude and prayer. Psalm 136 encourages us to linger as we repeat the phrase “His mercy endures forever,” and mull over what that means for us. The word “selah” appears several times in the Psalms to encourage the reader to step back and to “pause to reflect.” Jesus Himself modeled this for us by withdrawing regularly from crowds to spend time in secluded spots in the wilderness or on a mountain alone with His Father (see Mark 1:35).
May we too establish steady rhythms of practicing silence, solitude and prayer that create space for the renewal of our minds and a consistent walk with our Father in the midst of the currents of life!
~shini abraham, ©2015, duco divina – contemplative doodling
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