by Xan Proctor
"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation" -Psalm 62:1
Does anybody else have a crowded mind? A lot of thoughts running around all the time? I don't know about you, but this is definitely something I face in my everyday life. And yet I still wonder why I don't always hear from God, when in reality it's because I don't make time to sit in His presence.
A spiritual discipline I have had the joy of practicing these past years has been something we call chapel prayer. We set our belongings outside the chapel on our campus, and spend time chanting and reciting psalms together, along with sitting in silence for 10 minutes. It was quite difficult to enjoy at the beginning, but over time I have noticed the blessing it has become in my life. Something I noticed about it is that I don't have to pray with my words or in my head to recognize the lovely presence of God. Because God is omnipresent, that means He speaks to me and is with me just as much when I pray, as when I spend some time in silence. His presence fills all the gaps of my day, and it's up to me if I'm gonna behold Him in the in between.
However, as I mentioned earlier, this is not an easy discipline. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance. That's why it's a good idea to start with a small amount of time: 1 minute a day. And when that starts to feel easier to set apart, try taking 2 minutes, and so on. I personally really enjoy doing this practice at the very start of my day as it allows me to focus on God right at the beginning. It also helps me set aside any negative thoughts and trade them for a better mindset.
If you're like me and still find yourself getting distracted with your thoughts during this practice, there are a couple phrases I use and repeat in my head. They are good ways to center back on the presence of God, however many times my thoughts try to take my attention. Usually I will say, "Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with Your peace," and repeat that multiple times in my head. Another sentence that helps me recognize His presence is to say, "Here I am, in the presence of God, and in the presence of myself, sitting in silence."
Sitting in God’s presence reminds me of when I was a young kid. When it was almost time for bed, my brothers and I would all cuddle up in our parents’ bed, and just their presence brought me comfort and peace. It was a warm embrace, the knowledge that someone was holding me and caring for me, someone who enjoyed being in my presence. May this beautiful intimacy with Christ through silence become a way for you to recognize His glorious presence in your lives.
Lord, thank You for Your omnipresence. Thank You that You love us and want to spend time with us, even if it is just sitting with You. May you help us clear our minds as we focus on You in times of silence, and may we recognize how You are truly present through each day. I pray that we can become more like You through this spiritual discipline. In Jesus’ name, Amen.