Being still

The progression of the Pandemic over the past many months has had many effects on our daily lives, including our opportunities for worship and prayer. Despite my best efforts to get out of the house and be active, I have had to adapt to being inside much more than previously. I have watched more TV programs than normal, participated in many online sessions, streamed more movies than I ever imagined, and read books that I would not normally pick up. I have also found myself with more time to connect with God in prayer. 

Many of us are much more comfortable praying in worship services, praying while moving, singing, and listening to sacred music, than heeding the words of Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.” Being “Still” is not something I have been particularly good at, but the Pandemic has led me to reflect on these words and practise “Stillness” more intentionally.

I recently learned from the writings of Fr. Richard Rohr of a simple way of being Still and intentionally connecting with the Divine Presence. It goes like this:

1. Find a quiet place, gently close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, slowly breathing in and breathing out. Prepare to pray the Psalm verse in five consecutively diminishing sentences.
2. Either aloud or quietly to yourself, say the words, “Be still and know that I am God.”
3. Pause, and after taking several breaths, pray the words, “Be still and know that I am.”
4. Pause, and after taking several breaths, pray “Be still and know.”
5. Pause, and after taking several breaths, pray, “Be still.”
6. Pause, and after taking several breaths pray, “Be.”
7. Be quiet as long as you wish and when ready, pray, “Amen.”

This way of prayer is not only useful for individual prayer but can also be used when praying with a group either in person or virtually online. The facilitator leads with each phrase and the group repeats aloud after each consecutively diminishing phrase. The pause between each phrase can be lengthened depending on your need or the needs of the group.

Prayer resources at no cost

In addition to making its many pamphlets on different aspects of prayer free for download at www.anglicanprayer.org, the Canadian Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (AFP) is offering to provide paper copies of many of its pamphlets at no cost, with no shipping costs, to anyone who asks. These can be ordered either directly through the Resources section of the AFP website, or by contacting me at [email protected].