In the first reading from 1 Kings 19, Elijah waited for the Lord’s passing by a Mt. Horeb cave. The Lord was not in the strong, heavy wind, in an earthquake, or in a fire, but Elijah heard the Lord in a tiny whispering sound. Silence is critical for our time invested in contemplative prayer to hear that still, small voice, whether right then or later, as the saints teach us. The holy, miracle-working priest and monk, St. Charbel, invested eight hours each day in silent adoration prayer. There is a shrine to him and a monthly healing Mass right here in Phoenix.

Has this ever happened to you in the Adoration Chapel or at home? “I went to pray, but nothing happened. I just sat there. After a little while, I started to feel uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure what to say. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if anyone was listening anyway. I tried to talk to God, but I just heard the echo of my thoughts. Then some random stuff started to fill my head. I remembered some past experiences, and then I got a little upset. I got out my Rosary to keep myself busy, but as I started through the prayers, I got distracted by someone who walked out of the chapel. Then I was alone. And I felt really alone. I started to get bored, and my eyes began to close. I started nodding off. Then suddenly, I woke up, and I got really irritated. This is useless, I thought. I will never be able to pray. So, I got up and left.”

Why does this happen? Because we’re human. While physical silence is easy, internal silence of our minds and hearts is tough with our many distractions and SQUIRRELS! Such a prayer experience is not uncommon, even for those who have persevered in prayer for many years. We imagine that prayer experts look more like angels, sitting without any distractions, focused intently on the Lord while carrying out deep, meaningful conversations with Him. The good news is that God became man so that each one of us can have a deep, profound union with Him in prayer for the rest of our lives and into eternity. A holy priest, Benedictine monk, and professor of mine, Fr. Boniface Hicks, writes more in “Personal Prayer,” which I reference as a Spiritual Director.

Silent contemplative prayer is an integral part of many prayer methods, including these favorites:

ACTS PRAYER – 1. Adoration (praise God), 2. Contrition (ask forgiveness), 3. Thanksgiving (be grateful), 4. Supplication (seek help)

ARRR RELATIONAL PRAYER (“pirate prayer,” get it?) – 1. Acknowledge (be still and be real)

LECTIO DIVINA PRAYER (holy reading) praying with Scripture – 1. Lectio (read the Scripture), 2. Meditatio (receive God’s message), 3. Oratio (respond from the heart), 4. Contemplatio (rest in the Father’s love)

EXAMEN PRAYER review of your day – 1. Enlightenment (see yourself as God sees you), 2. Thanksgiving (be grateful for your day), 3. Reflection (reflect on specific incidents), 4. Response (express yourself to God)

Books have been written on these deep prayer methods and others. As one example, here is a little more detail on ARRR relational prayer, which relies on silent contemplation to listen and receive God’s grace:

ARRR Relational Prayer:

1. Acknowledge (be still and be real) – Be still for a moment. What’s going on inside you? What are you thinking and feeling? Honestly acknowledge your interior disposition. Try to be aware of both your surface-level emotions and what’s going on deep in your heart. Basically, be honest with yourself.

2. Relate (pour it out to Jesus) – Now tell the Lord what’s going on. Be completely real with Him, and don’t hold anything back. Tell Him about your anger, fear, agitation and joy. Tell Him even about the small stuff. It may help to imagine Jesus sitting in front of you as you’re talking to him. Let it all out.

3. Receive (open up to grace) – This step is the most difficult: stop talking and listen. Be confident that God will communicate with you! Open yourself to His response. Feel His light and love. Is there a peaceful thought that keeps coming? A gentle tug in one direction? An echo of scripture that comes to mind? Let God’s grace wash over you.

4. Respond (go with God) – Now respond to grace. As you walk alongside the Lord, what is your next step with Him? Is He inviting a spiritual change? Renewal in how you approach a situation? Sometimes your response should be concrete, like an action to undertake today, a word to speak to a friend or a resolution for the future.

Contemplative prayer is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, openness to the Word of God, and a silent love, as we learn in the Catechism. All prayer is a personal relationship with God in love and humility. St. Teresa says, “Contemplative prayer is nothing but a close sharing between friends and taking time to be alone with Him who loves us.” In contemplation, we are the sailboats. Our silent, receptive hearts are the sails, and God’s love is the wind, the Holy Spirit. If a sailboat is not catching the wind, it is just drifting and has no power to do anything. So, SAILS UP! Listen for God’s still, small voice in the sound of silence!

In Christ,

Deacon Jeff

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