How to Pray in Silence

Silent prayer helps you to focus on God.

Silent prayer is a Christian tradition rooted in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus taught the crowds how to pray. Follow Jesus' instructions to pray in behind closed doors and in simple phrases designed to please God the Father and not to impress passersby. Approach God in silent prayer in humility and in recognition that you seek communion with your Creator and the One who knows everything you need and desire. Pause in the positive spirit-filled silent realm where God communicates with you.

Instructions

1. Relax into silent prayer. Sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. Inhale and exhale through your nose, drawing in calming breaths and releasing tension and stress.

2. Pray with simplicity. Approach God as a child with simple, unaffected language, advises the Eastern Orthodox website, Orthodoxy Today. Choose a traditional prayer, such as the Our Father or the Jesus Prayer, or let the prayer radiate from your heart.

3. Repeat the prayer until it settles into your being. Sit in silent prayer for as long as you like. End with a prayer of thanksgiving and desire to bring a prayerful approach to your day.

Tips & Warnings

• Communal prayer is also an acceptable Christian tradition.

References

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: New American Bible: Matthew Chapter 6
• Liturgy: Collect for Purity
• Orthodoxy Today; Prayer and Silence; Bishop Hilarion; 2009

Resources

• Liturgy: Silent Prayer
• Orthodox Christian Information Center; On Practicing the Jesus Prayer; Ignaty Brianchaninov