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In This Issue...
Articles
- A Theology of Humor by Cheryl Taylor
- Ministering With Humor by Stephanie Nance
- Christian Leaders Having Fun? by Pam Morton with Kathy Jingling
- The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter by Dwenda Gjerdingen, MD, MS
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Book Reviews
- Anatomy of an Illness by Norman Cousins
- The Purse-Driven Life by Anita Renfroe
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Silent Prayer in Practice
An Interview With La Don Held
La Don, your church holds an annual silent prayer retreat. Tell us a little bit more about this ministry.
For the past six years we’ve had a silent prayer retreat at a spiritual retreat center in our city. The retreat begins on Friday night and concludes Sunday noon. The retreat schedule consists of the group coming together for a presentation by a retreat leader, followed by rest, reflection and prayer. All of this is done in silence—no talking to each other (even at meals) and no eye contact. The purpose is to remove all distractions to hear what God may be saying to the retreatants. For the first four years we invited a speaker to lead the retreat. Over the years we’ve developed a team of leaders from our own church. The retreat concludes with a sharing/testimony time by the retreatants.
How did your passion for this ministry develop?
My first exposure to the concept of silent retreats occurred when I attended a pastors’ wives silent retreat offered by our district. My husband had attended a men’s silent prayer retreat, and when I saw the change it made in his personal prayer time and the effect it had on his ministry, I knew this was an experience I also wanted to have. I was introduced to the tremendous benefit of practicing quality time of being silent in order to listen and be more intimate with Jesus. I realized that this spiritual experience was something I wanted for the women of our church. I’ve become more convinced of the value of this ministry as I see the impact these times of silence and solitude have had on the lives and spiritual growth of those who attend.
About this time I was introduced to the works of some of the classical writers who credited their spiritual growth to times of solitude and silence (sometimes while imprisoned). The works of Madam Guyon were meaningful to me, especially her book, “Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ.”
What is the scriptural basis for times of solitude and silent prayer?
Our best example of this is the prayer life of Jesus. He often withdrew from the crowd and his disciples to spend time alone in prayer and communion with His Heavenly Father (Mark 1:35). He also took his disciples away to teach them. It was in one of these settings that He taught them how to pray (Luke 11:1).
In the Song of Solomon, the bridegroom often urged his beloved to come to him and spend intimate time together (Song of Solomon 2:13).
How does someone get started in enriching her prayer life by this method?
I would highly recommend finding a place to participate in a silent retreat. You might want to consider contacting a Catholic retreat center to see if they offer any events or activities that encourage solitude and contemplative prayer.
If none of these resources are available, there are several books that are helpful in planning extended times of solitude and prayer. I would recommend Jeanie Miley’s book, Creative Silence and Jane Rubietta’s book, Quiet Places–A Woman’s Guide to Personal Retreat. Another resource is “Half Day of Intimacy with God” from Prayer Portions by Sylvia Gunter.
How can a busy leader start enriching her personal prayer time?
- Get away from your normal environment—preferably to a quiet place such as a secluded area of a park or a prayer room in your church, or quiet place in your home (turn off the phone). Quiet your mind and body, letting go of all distractions, cares and concerns. It might help to use your journal to write down things that come to your mind in order to clarify what concerns you.Then leave them in God’s care.
- InviteGod through His Spirit to come into this prayer time and help you hear Him and be open to what He has to say to you. This may take awhile, but don’t give up.
- As you are waiting quietly on God, it may be helpful to read psalms or other Scriptures. Begin to focus your mind on God by meditating on God’s character or reflecting on who Jesus is.
- You may use your journal to begin writing your prayers and praiseand reflections of who God is. In all this, maintain your expectancy of what God wants to speak to you.
- Write in your journal any impressions you receive or words you feel God is speaking to you, including significant Scriptures that come to mind.
At the Silent PrayerRetreats in which I’ve participated, we have been directed to consider areas such as receiving forgiveness, giving forgiveness, relationships, how precious we are to God, God’s great love for us, the riches of His grace, etc.
What insight have you gained from this practice of prayer that would be good for women in leadership to hear?
It’s worth the effort! Getting away from my busy ministry schedule to take extended time to spend with the Lord is awesome. When I pray long enough to run out of things to say and start listening, it’s amazing how much God has to say. Journaling is a good way of slowing down to hear and record what He is teaching me.
How can leaders encourage this kind of growth in their ministry teams or congregation?
The best way to encourage growth is by modeling your passion for it. Experiencing and learning about it is the best way.
