INTRODUCTION TO STILL PRAYER WHAT IS STILL PRAYER? In this method of prayer we sit silently, opening our hearts and minds to God’s holy presence within. Its purpose is “presence,” not action. It is a letting go of our wills, agendas, fears, and concerns. It is an acknowledgment of the deeper reality – the Divine Life – that continually creates, sustains, and renews us in each moment. We acknowledge, invite, and await God’s presence. WHY PRACTICE STILL PRAYER? Some people are called by an interior desire to be with God in a manner beyond all words, thoughts, or images. For others, still prayer is a discipline that allows them to return every day to a place of silence, peace, and recollection. This allows them to live the rest of their day more prayerfully. For yet others, still prayer is a practice that, by quieting their minds and emotions, allows them to hear the Word of God more clearly. It creates a silence in which they can deeply receive the Divine Word and act on it. CHRISTIAN FAITH AND STILL PRAYER. For Christians, still prayer is a way of releasing ourselves to the Holy Spirit, who prays in us with “sighs too deep for words.” As such, it is an initiation into the mystery of Jesus’ own relationship with the Father. In the silence and stillness of our prayer we dwell with Christ in the endless love of the Father for us. STILL PRAYER AT ST. ANDREW’S. A time for still prayer will be offered at St. Andrew’s from 8-8:30am on Friday’s beginning Sept. 18th. You are invited to stay the whole time or join us for a briefer period of silence. At the end of the time for still prayer, the timekeeper quietly begins the Lord’s Prayer. All may join in as they end their silent prayer time. SOME HELP WITH INNER SILENCE. Our minds usually are very busy – full of plans for the future, worries about the past, personal agendas, and endless opinions. Therefore, it is useful to have a tool to help create and maintain inner silence. For many people a simple word or phrase can help focus their desire when beginning and return to their intention when distracting thoughts arise. Some possible words might be: God, Love, Light, Jesus, or Holy Spirit. Possible short phrases include the “Lord, have mercy,” the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”), or “Open my heart to Your love.” DEALING WITH DISTRACTIONS. Use this word or phrase only to return to inner silence after a distraction. The important thing is not to focus on the meaning of the word or phrase. The idea is to clear the mind; these are simply tools to help deal with distractions or to return to inner silence when distractions arise. If you experience distractions in still prayer, please know that you are in the company of the very best and greatest of mystics – it is not a sign that you have somehow failed. Distractions are common to all of us. But the action of releasing the distraction and returning to our core intention to be open to God alone is itself a significant offering of love. It symbolizes our continuing intention to simply and quietly remain in God’s presence. It reminds us too that God’s presence is constant – whether we are distracted or focused, worried or peaceful. STILL PRAYER AND CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY. Contemplative spirituality is the expansion of the spirit of still prayer into the whole of life. One’s work, relationships, and recreation are engaged from a disciplined depth of silence, interior poise, and calm. Instead of living from anxious, self-concern, we learn to live from a place of deep receptivity and joyful obedience. It is a way of profound faith and spiritual sensitivity that naturally yields the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Materials are taken from the Julian Gathering Pamphlet and used with permission of the Order of Julian of Norwich. |
Still Prayer |