We begin the exercises with the discipline of ‘Silence and Solitude’. This practice enables us to learn to be still and to wait in quiet expectation so we can hear God as he speaks to us. The second discipline is learning to listen to God speak before we speak to him. This comes through the ancient practice of ‘Holy Listening’. The third prayer discipline is learning to ‘Pray the Scriptures’. These are scriptural texts that have formed the prayers of God’s people for generations. The Fourth discipline is learning to pray ‘Prayers of Confession’ using an ancient form of prayer called ‘The Prayer of Examen’. The fifth discipline is focused on ‘Lament’. Most of us go through times or pain and anguish, the ‘Prayers of Lament’ enable us to be authentic before God as we cry out to him. In the sixth discipline we encounter ‘Petitionary Prayers’. This is where we intercede for ourselves and for others. The final discipline is ‘Thanksgiving and Praise’, with a focus on the names of God as the basis of our prayer.
A final chapter is devoted to an explanation of the church year with exercises to help direct your prayers during these seasons of the year.
The key to experiencing the book is to complete the exercises each day.
Enjoy!
WEEK ONE: Silence & Solitude
‘Be still and know that I am God…’ Ps.46:10
As we explore various spiritual disciplines that will help to draw us closer to God we begin with silence and solitude. Devoted followers of the Lord have practiced silence and solitude throughout the ages as a means of deliberately making space in their busy schedules to listen and hear the voice of God. Without silence and solitude we will never be able to fully enter into intimacy with God simply because so many other voices are contending for our attention and commitment.
Basil Pennington used the metaphor of a pond to describe the importance of stillness in order to pay attention to God. When you throw a stone into a pond, he said, the stone will create ripples that reach to the shore, all way around – but only if the pond is still. When the pond is quiet and still, the impact of the stone can be seen over the entire surface. But when the pond is not still, when the surface of the water is already ruffled and tossed, the splash of the stone will go undetected. Where the wind has disturbed the surface, the stone can’t be disturbing. Where a storm is present, there is so much commotion already going on that no one will notice a few waves more or less as they will be lost in the frantic motion of the surface. Stillness is always the prerequisite for receptivity.
In our world it seems we are constantly surrounded by noise and by people. In fact we regularly speak of ‘noise pollution’. It seems to be very difficult, if not impossible, to be still and experience the presence of God. In addition to this we are driven by the compulsion to be busy as many see their value and worth attached to what they do. So to be quiet and to be alone for periods of time seems to be less than productive and for some completely meaningless, since we are perceived to be doing nothing. However if we want to hear God’s voice we must move into surrendered intimacy with him. Then we are able to listen and hear the still soft voice of God.
Be Still
Be still for the presence of Lord the Holy One is here.
Come bow before Him now with reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.
He burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned.
How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of Light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.
He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace
No work and too hard for Him, in faith receive from Him,
Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place. (1)
The Example of Jesus
The following scriptures reveal that Jesus practiced silence and solitude as a regular aspect of his life.
Matthew 4:1. We are told that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into a period of fasting and solitude while in the desert. After this particular experience Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14)
Matthew 14:23. After Jesus ministered to the multitudes he sent them away and he went up to a mountain by himself to pray. Jesus was completely alone. He sent both the crowd and his disciples away so that he could be alone with God.
Mark 1:35. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue and healing people of various diseases. This ministry continued into the night. The next morning while it was still dark he went off to a lonely place to spend time alone in the presence of the Father. If Jesus waited till later in the morning he would never have the time nor the opportunity to be alone in silence and solitude as the demands of people were constant.
It should be obvious as we reflect on these texts that if we want to live more like Jesus, we will need to practice silence and solitude even as he did.
The Place of Silence
The Bible praises the virtue of silence. Proverbs tell us that “where words are many transgression is not lacking, but the one who restrains his lips is prudent” (Proverbs 10:19. And “even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise” (Proverbs 17:28). In the New Testament, James goes as far as to say “if anyone does not fall short in speech, that person is a perfect individual” (James 3:2).
Jesus also gave a strong warning about our speech. He declared that “on the Day of Judgment people will have to give an account for every idle word they have spoken. For by your words you will be saved, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36).
C.S. Lewis in the Screwtape Letters puts words in the mouth of the Devil to show that noise is the friend of the Devil. He states: “Music and silence-how I detest them both! How thankful we should be that ever since our father (that is Lucifer) entered hell, no square inch of infernal space and no amount of infernal time has been surrendered to either of those abominable forces, but has been occupied by, Noise-Noise, the grand dynamism, the audible expression of all that is exalted, ruthless and virile – Noise which alone defends us from silly qualms, despairing scruples and impossible desires. We will make the whole universe a noise in the end. We have already made great strides in this direction as regards the earth. The melodies and silences of Heaven will be shut down in the end”. (2)
The practice of silence does not mean that we have to be constantly quiet and never say anything. At times silence is destructive and painful, for example when we give someone ‘the silent treatment’. To practice the discipline of silence, we must know when to speak, to whom to speak, and the right way to speak
The apostle Paul stated we must speak only about “whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is gracious, and anything worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). The Psalmist states: “whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies” (Psalm 34:12-13).
Since the primary purpose of silence is to help us grow in the love and knowledge of Christ, we must be selective in our conversations and sometimes sacrifice our desire to speak especially if our words are hurtful or destructive.
It is also important to practice silence when we are speaking to others. We do this when we listen to someone. James writes “Let everyone be quick to hear