Centuries ago, a book was written called “The Cloud of Unknowing”. It’s still a classic with advice on how to pray and how prayer works. Perhaps the piece that is most remembered concerns silent prayer.
We all need to cry out to God sometimes – often it’s an instinct beyond our reason. We’re in pain; we’re worried; we’re programmed to call out to our Creator. It’s also good to share as we pray together. Words can gather a group together in purpose and concern, and reach that agreement in prayer which Christ mentions in Matthew 18. In personal prayer sometimes we talk to God aloud, as we would with the friend walking along side us on our way. But sometimes we need silence. Silence to listen and to let God get a word in. Silence to simply be in His presence and be aware of God’s might, grandeur and love. Silence to be at one with the Creation He has made.
I was once told that the purest form of prayer comes when we get beyond words into the arms of a Father God whose power and beauty is beyond any words ever made; when we join with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit and allow the Spirit to pour through us into the situations of His choosing. Those familiar with the ministry of intercession will recognise this as that point in prayer when “Thy will be done” becomes all important and God powerfully enters into the situation as only He can. Some call it praying through to “victory”.
So perhaps the most basic prayer is silence in the presence of God and letting Him minister. Some would say this is the heart of worship. The songwriter Matt Redman made this discovery a few years ago now and wrote the song “When the Music Fades”. It made, and still makes, many people think as they sing this song. Have you discovered the simplicity of silence, leaving all things behind and simply coming into the presence of God? Perhaps it’s something we all need to try.
Prayer: God beyond all words, give us the grace to lose the fear of silence and to embrace all chances to hear your side of conversations. Teach us to rest in you and to be at one in you so that our prayers may be your prayers and our lives lived according to your will.
Amen