September 6, 2026 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Silent Prayer: “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” ~ Psalm 46:10
Silence can be awkward. I am sure you have experienced uncomfortable silences. We are constantly surrounded and bombarded by noise from the radio, TV, and other audio devices. Strangely, we are comfortable with the noise around us, while silence makes us uncomfortable. Perhaps that is a good thing. I have discovered that silence, both in conversation with others and in meditation, helps me think deeply. Silent prayer is a beautiful way to enter into intimate union with the Lord. Monks, nuns, saints, and spiritual gurus have shown us throughout the centuries the importance of silence in speaking to and listening to God. The tradition of silent prayer is rooted in Scripture and has been handed down through the centuries by mystics, monks and religious. Pope Benedict XVI beautifully said that the Word of God can only be truly spoken and heard in silence.
I suggest taking the following steps to enter into silent prayer:
1. Breathing as a Spiritual Exercise: Before entering into a time of undivided attention to God, take a few minutes of deep and gentle breathing in and breathing out. Repeat this as long as needed. This helps calm the body and allows you to attend to its needs. Notice your body relaxing as you breathe. Enjoy the peace it brings and let go of worries with each exhale. When you feel relaxed and rested, shift your focus to the next step.
2. Sacred Word/Image: Fr. Thomas Keating’s Centering Prayer encourages us to use a Sacred Word or phrase to enter into silence. Gently utter a word or phrase such as “Holy Spirit,” “Abide in me,” or “Have mercy on me.” Continue until your mind is fixed on the Lord. You will experience distractions. Don’t worry about them. Gently acknowledge them, let them go, and return to the Sacred Word. When distractions return, simply repeat the practice.
3. Affective Prayer: After about ten minutes, you may find yourself settled in silence. Observe your senses. In silence, the senses may reach a state of awakening. As the mystics say, you may see an image or vision, hear a gentle whisper, smell a fragrance, or experience a strong sense of peace, calm, or joy in your heart. This is a beautiful place to be. Our hearts are lifted up in praising God, adoring Him, and rejoicing in His presence. All we can do here is remain there.
Cultivating silence is a beautiful prayer practice and a necessary part of a life of discipleship. It is practicing the presence of God in our lives. It takes some getting used to. All we have to do is commit time to this silent prayer, where God speaks.
