The Power of Words Arising from Silence

Imagine walking into a doctor's exam room, telling the doctor your symptoms, showing the doctor what you're concerned about and then... turning around and leaving without letting the doctor respond! 

It may sound far-fetched to you but we do it all the time in prayer. 


Soren Kierkegaard the 19th century Danish philosopher, theologian and poet once said,

"If I were a physician, and if I were allowed to prescribe just one remedy for all the ills of the modern world, I would prescribe silence.  For even if the Word of God were proclaimed in the modern world, how could one hear it with so much noise?  Therefore, create silence."

How often do we turn to the Great Physician with our concerns, yet offer no opportunity for a response?  With no response, how are we to know what we really are to say or do, especially in the face of tragedy and difficult circumstances?

Oh, we may think we know what to say or do.

Our ego self or what the Apostle Paul called "the flesh" always has an answer!  This part of us likes to self-diagnose (and diagnose others!).  It's usually quite sure of itself, quick to demonize those who do not agree, and usually lacks creativity, like choosing apathy.  Apathy is quite different than active waiting, for the latter keeps vigilance while the former has "fallen asleep," sure to miss God's invitation to action when it does come!

If we read I Corinthians 3:4-5 and simply turn each phrase of what love is to what it isn't, we get a quick and easy way to recognize when the ego is trying to take charge!

The ego often...
is not patient.
is not kind.
envies.
boasts.
is proud.
is rude.
is self-seeking.
is easily angry.
keeps a record of wrongs.

It's hard to stop talking, look inside, and give up all of these ego-driven things in order to create space to listen to the One who truly knows the next word or action needed.

Don't think it's difficult?

• Try bringing someone to mind you dislike (you may be sitting at the same table at Thanksgiving in a few weeks!).
• Now look at the list above. What is most difficult for you to give up?  Patience?  Record-keeping?

Words often arise from those very places when it comes to the difficult person or situation.  BUT, if you can allow that part of the ego (the part that is impatient, for instance) to step aside or tone down, this creates space for silence where there's room for the Physician to speak.

In the doctor's office, the doctor gives you instructions on what to do (or not to do) and the kind of medicine to take.  Do you let the words go in one ear and out the other or go home and leave the prescription on your kitchen counter? No!  Not if you trust the doctor.  There is action involved beyond rehearsing your symptoms and having a prescription in hand.   

In prayer, not only is the word spoken to you by the Physician powerful, but the word given to you to speak (or do) carries that same healing power forward.  

Says, Henri Nouwen in The Way of the Heart, 
"A word with power is a word that comes out of silence.  A word that bears fruit is a word that emerges from the silence and returns to it...A word that is not rooted in silence is a weak, powerless word that sounds like a "clashing cymbal or a booming gong."  (I Corinthians 13:1) 

Our world is in desperate need of wisdom and healing.  So many of us say, "I'm praying."  What if we said, "I'm listening in prayer."  Then, let's actually stop talking, go to a quiet place (like Jesus did), and find out what the Physician has to say.

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