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“We do not know each other yet. We have not yet dared to be silent together.”
– Maurice Maeterlinck
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Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to just be silent with someone you know?
In a world where noise is currency and sanity is often traded for frantic inaction, there’s an unspoken pressure to contribute to the sound. Silence and stillness feel lazy and irresponsible, so we go on adding noise to noise, never truly understanding what we say, why we say it, and who we’re saying it to.
“We do not know each other yet. We have not yet dared to be silent together.”
Most of us know that when a loved one is navigating profound pain or loss, our presence speaks louder than anything we could say. If we can find the courage to first sit in their silence, our words, tears, and groans find their harmony, creating an authentic sound of intimate connection. It takes no small measure of bravery, though, to let go of clichés and let silence do its best work.
I’ve found that we often view prayer as the act of finding the right words, but the majority of our prayer life flourishes in the thin silence—that place where we can listen for the sounds of God’s constant presence . . . for how else could we pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17)? There is an active prayer that is less about speaking and more about learning to be wooed by the One who speaks in both silence and sound.
Response
When was the last time you just sat with God in silence? No words. No distractions. No noise. If we’re honest, we’ll admit that there are silent moments throughout our day, but we yield to the pressure and fill them with noise. Silence is a regular companion whose presence is often ignored. This week, ask the Spirit to show you such moments. It may feel awkward and unfamiliar at first but don’t shrink back. I promise that God will eventually meet you there.
Closing Thoughts
Stillness and silence are my surrender.
In defiant obedience I offer them to you.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
Maybe you’ve been looking for the right words—words for a season, a loved one, a situation. Could it be that you have yet to hear what God is speaking because you are lost in the noise? No matter how hard we try, some words only take shape in silence. Why not let the silence find its sound in you?
Praying with you
Addison
P.S. I spend a good amount of time in Words with God working through this dimension of prayer. In fact, the first two chapters are “The Voice” and “Into Silence.” If you struggle to hear God’s voice or embrace the silence, then click here to get your book. It’s available as a physical book, audiobook, or eBook. (And it’s also in Spanish!)
