Part 3 - We Shall Rest and We Shall See / Chapter 28 - As Simple As a Child

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A young friend of mine, a busy teacher, explained in a letter how he had struggled for many years to find the ‘right’ way to pray, and how silent prayer came as a great shock because of its total simplicity. He discovered there is no special method. ‘It is about disciplining oneself to remain still – and open to God.’

In his childhood Mark had a very simple faith. ‘I believed that God created me and cared for me. From my grandmother I saw how it was possible to simply “be” in God’s loving presence. As I grew older it no longer seemed enough. I wanted to “do” more, saying prayers and trying various methods of devotional prayer.

‘Only recently have I returned to my original, childhood method of prayer and found the healing I had never thought possible before. I feel as simple as a child.’

The practicalities of silent prayer are straightforward, but everyone will find his or her own approach, says Mark. ‘I find it helpful before beginning my time of silence to say the opening words of the Hail Mary, up to the word “Jesus”. I let the holy name linger. However, when I pray, I use no words. Silent prayer is not about delighting in images or language. It is about leaving aside all that is familiar. No safety nets.

‘Instead of praying for someone, or about a particular situation, one holds these before God open-handed, believing that God will deal with that person or that situation however he sees fit. It is based solely on trust. It is also about learning to take God at his word and believing he will dwell within us whether we are personally good or not. God is present within me, even if I do not “feel” his presence. This is especially important when distracting thoughts fizz around in my head and I cannot find the stillness I seek.

‘Sometimes, I may only have five minutes of the allotted 20 in any kind of silence. When I am full of distractions, I remind myself that God is within me and that kernel of “me” is enjoying his presence, beneath the surface and its disturbances. Gradually, I slip the anchor down into that place of deep silence and allow the roaring waters to have their storming out.

‘There is no “getting it right” involved, which is a relief after years of battling, of visualising biblical scenes and re-enacting them with love, penitence or devotion. Now I fast from images, from feelings, from penitent tears and holy aspirations. I delight in finding God exactly where he is, and leaving him free within me to accomplish whatever he wishes.

‘I have stopped wanting to be someone else – a better Catholic, for example. Instead I have started to discover my “Mark-ness”, the true image of me which was within me from the moment of my baptism.

‘For me, the heart of silent prayer is the discovery that we are called to be ourselves, our true selves, in the presence of the Trinity, helping God to work within the world.’


An extract from Finding Your Hidden Treasure

© 2010 Benignus O’Rourke OSA

Published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd

© Photo: Ian Wilson OSA

Get the book: www.theaugustinians.org

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The great silence of the heart

'God speaks to us in the great silence of the heart." - Augustine of Hippo

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