‘ Prayer of Quiet‘

Most of us have not heard about the ‘Prayer of Quiet,’ and that is too bad because it is a very necessary part of building ‘Our Relationship with God.’ Communication is supposed to be a Prayer. If we ‘Prayed’ before we spoke – our words would be more kind. As the word ‘Quiet’ suggests – we need to learn how to ‘Quiet’ ourselves, which includes our body, our mind, and our spirit. So, let us talk about what I have learned concerning The Prayer of Quiet’ since November 2012.

When I was trying to discover ‘Centering Prayer’ – I experienced great difficulty trying to find the Prayer of Quiet in my Mind. Something ALWAYS came to my mind – ‘Wow – this is hard!      How do I Empty my mind?      I can’t picture a River – or – a barge – to throw my thoughts on – to let them F-L-O-A-T   —  A-W-A-Y!   How am I supposed to do this?”    I was so full of Questions — with no way of finding the answers.    So,  –  I just ‘Promised God’ – to keep trying.

At this time in my life, I was already retired. I was in the habit of getting up early because of the shift I worked as an LPN. I had already begun opening the ‘Door to God’ in my life the past spring. If you have read some of my other Blogs, you might have read ‘My C-O-N-V-E-R-S-I-O-N story,  if not, it is a good story about identifying the pain, weaknesses, sorrow, sins, and brokenness in our lives, and the ‘Power’ of confession and forgiveness from God, our Father through Jesus and His chosen Shepherds and their ‘Gift’ of Holy Orders. It can also be found in my Book, ‘Christ in our Midst.’

My journey into Prayer, began with me making the choice to go to morning Mass once a week since I was already up.  The next week, I decided that I could give God more than one day during the week. Maybe I could spare two days a week. In a few weeks, I Desired to go to Mass everyday of the week . . . I found Peace there . . . and wanted to receive more.

I noticed that they were finishing the Rosary. Having no idea how long it took to pray the Rosary – I went 5 minutes earlier than yesterday . . .They had already started the Rosary . . .  and being too shy to ask questions . . . I  simply went 5 minutes earlier the next day . . . but again, they had already started, so I went 30 minutes before the Mass time and was there in time for the whole Rosary.

One day I noticed that they were reading from the ‘Red Book’ in the pews, with name ‘Christian Prayer’ on the front. I wanted to join them – but I did not ask anything. I came 15 minutes earlier the next day . . . Fr. Asked me if I would like to join them. Eagerly I said, ‘Yes” and grabbed the book in my pew . . . he smiled and said, “It’s too hard to follow on your own . . .come share with me.” And my awakening into Scripture began. 

‘The Prayer of Quiet’ happens – when we – “Put ourselves in a place to be found by God.” A phrase by Fr. Mark Toups. That ‘Place,’ is found, deep . . . I-N-S-I-D-E     of us . . . It is just there —   W-A-I-T-I-N-G   — to be discovered! And we need to Discover, that God is W-A-I-T-I-N-G    with an E-X-P-E-C-T-A-N-T Heart for us to make the time to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).

This “ROOM‘ is clearly not a place in our house or anywhere on the ‘Exterior’ of ourselves! It is a space that you — ‘B-u-i-l-d ‘  —  Inside of YOU! It is a place of great value that You construct through the Guidance of God. Like He instructed Moses to build an ‘ARC’ and ‘The tent of Meeting’ — to hold the ‘Presence of God’ in the Desert’ (Exodus 26). And what a beautiful Passage.

It is said that ‘God –  sat on ‘Top of the ARC’ – upon the Wings of the Cherubim. Once Built — The Holy Spirit would come in the form of a ‘Tower of Fire’ to announce that God was present. Moses would come, and all the Israelite’s would stand at the doors of their tents – in attendance – while , ‘God – Spoke with Moses.’

This is a powerful Passage of Scripture describing HOW to come to the place of ‘Interior Prayer’ which is found – when ‘You decide’ – that you want to know God better. God spoke to Moses. He desires to speak to each one of us to help us on our journey to Him. ‘Interior Prayer’ is one way that we can prepare ourselves to receive God’s Messages to us. It is not hard, but it does take dedication and perseverance. 

‘Interior Prayer’

God has spoken to my heart through the years. But the first time that I distinctly remember hearing His voice was when I was twenty. I was wanting to enter a Franciscan Convent, and, after Communion, in the silence of my heart — I heard, “W-A-I-T!” So — I waited —- and Prayed, that I would discover what God wanted me to do for Him.

L_I_S_T_E_N_I_N_G.

Because I choose to make time — to quite my mind and heart for a few minutes of everyday – to spend with God — He ‘Rewards me with words of ‘Wisdom’ to follow — and to share with others. It was through this ‘Quiet Time,’ that I wrote my book, ‘Christ in our Midst’ — through    P-r-a-y-e-r — and — L_I_S_T_E_N_I_N_G. I call this communication, ‘Interior Prayer.’

Being New to this listening for God to speak to me — and not knowing how to pray anyway other than ‘Rote’ (memorized) prayers — I knelt for a while in front of the Altar and begged God to help me …  because I had no idea of where to begin with my assignment from my Spiritual Director, to ‘Write a Paper on each Fruit and Gift of the Holy Spirit.’ I had NO IDEA what they even were!!!

Surrender

So I Surrendered my whole self to God at the Altar at St. Ann’s Catholic Church and began to Pray — BEGGING God for help. I remember that I prayed in the Spirit for a while and then went back to the pew and I sat quietly in front of the Tabernacle – and “W-A-I-T-E-D” upon the Lord to direct my ways. In the silence – that was created — I heard, “Jeremiah 15.” I read that Scripture and found these words: “When I read your words, I devoured them, they became the joy and happiness of my life.” The word ‘Joy‘ was within that phrase, so I discovered where to begin writing about the ‘Fruits’ of the Holy Spirit.

‘Prophecy’ for my life.

Now that I am looking back on that event, I also see a ‘Prophecy’ for my life. “When I read your words – they became the joy and happiness of my life.“ And they truly have! I am Dyslexic! And God has healed me enough to be able to Write a Book –— and now He is asking me to Share this Journey with you. Praise God always!

Message

These words came to me after morning prayer on 5/15/2020.

” Prayer is about listening to the ‘Stirrings’ within me . . . whether they are ‘SEEING, FEELING, HEARING, TASTING, or KNOWING. It is all about the Holy Spirit using our bodily senses, to touch us in a tangible way.’

3/7/2020 – ‘Interior prayer – is not about us —- it is about — Adoring God —- in the silence of our hearts.’

3/17/2020 – ‘There was another ‘Great Commission’ before Pentecost – It was God’s word to us in (Psalm 46:10) “Be still and know that I am God.” That is why we need to try to apply ourselves to Interior Prayer.

3/13/2020 – During my Prayer these words came to me. ‘‘Prayer is my Greatest Gift. Writing, Teaching, are secondary to it – because all that I write about – flows out of my Prayer. All that I teach – flows out of my writings. I Evangelize – because of the ‘Gifts’ that flow from my Prayer.”

Building my special ‘Room‘ for God — has filled my life immensely and become a priority for me.

3/14/2020 – ‘The goal of Private -Interior Prayer – is to come to the place of Union with God.’   

7/3/2020 — There are all kinds of prayer. I can’t begin to describe all of them – but I will talk about the ones that I have Experienced.

Some Kinds of Prayer

‘Oral or Vocal Prayer‘ are the memorized prayers of; Praise, Worship, Petition, Thanksgiving, that help us to Focus on God. They can be spoken out loud – or spoken in our hearts or mind.

‘Spontaneous Prayers’ are prayers that ‘Burst Forth‘ out of us when we experience; Joy, sorrow, Fear, Anxiety, or any other emotion that directs our thoughts to God. It is a prayer of need. A prayer of Petition or Thanksgiving.

The ‘Prayer of Quiet’ is a time of silence . . . This is a Prayer that is very important to Building your relationship with God. This Prayer changes our Prayer Life – from “talking to God – to talking WITH God.” You must think about that distinction . . . Talking too God . . . in Oral or Spontaneous Prayer is all about our NEED’s of Petition or Thanksgiving, or Gratitude.

Talking with God, is about us . . . learning to be Quiet  . . . and being able to listen . . .   And at times we will ask Him questions, that He answers if we are quiet enough to hear His words to us. We must be attentive in this Prayer time.

‘The Prayer of Quiet’

is about TRUSTFULLY-SURRENDERING

In my experience – ‘The Prayer of Quiet’ is about TRUSTFULLY-SURRENDERING my whole self — at this moment — to God . . . to do with as He wills. God WILLS that I listen to Him. ‘The prayer of Quiet’ is basically about learning to be S-I-L-E-N-T, which is not easy in our world where we ‘multi-task’ all the time. I am sure that you have heard the Phrase, “Let go and let God!” That is what learning ‘The Prayer of Quiet ‘ – leads to.

“Let go and let God!”

If we let go of our troubles, anxieties, fears, or depressive thoughts, and give them to God in our Oral or Spontaneous prayers, and then Allow ourselves to be free of these attachments . . . if only for a little while, (at least for these few moments that you want to learn how to trust God). It is not easy – but it is important to the process of ‘Letting go – and letting God,”  carry your troubles and burdens.

Touch ‘The Divinity of Jesus” within us.

‘The prayer of Quiet’ . . . is just the beginning of the process of letting our humanity – touch ‘The Divinity of Jesus” within us. ‘The prayer of Quiet’ is INTEGRAL in our Relationship with God! It begins with our prayer of, “Jesus I trust in you,’ repeated over and over, several times . . . that will build our confidence! “Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You,” and then . . . just ‘Rest’ in His arms . . . and Peace will come . . .

‘Devotion to God‘

In my mind – this is – ‘Devotion to God’ . . . expressed through our surrender of our chosen minutes to God, to allow Him to Infuse Blessings and Grace upon us as He Desires . . . so that we are better able to live the Christian life . . . and feel His Presence within us always.

He does the work!

‘The Prayer of Quiet’ . . . will lead us to a deeper Relationship with God . . .  where He does the work! We Receive what God desires to give us through His Divine Love.

Why these different Prayers?

Oral or spontaneous prayer CAN lead us to the “Prayer of Quiet.’

Quiet Prayer is necessary to come to the place of ‘Interior Prayer.’

“Interior Prayer,’ is the Communication of God within us! We do nothing but give God the time . . . He does the Rest.

‘Visits from God . . .’

None of these ‘Visits’ from God, will ever be the same. Each one in ‘Unique’ to my needs for today! Given to me because, “I am Loved’ by God my Creator . . . loved Deeply, because I have chosen Him, over things and pleasures of this world, even if only for this moment.

God will take us to the ‘Heights of His Glory,’ if He decides to . . . and it all depends on the ‘time we give Him to work with us.’ This is what ‘The Prayer of Quiet’ will lead us to . . . ‘Our Relationship with God!’ It is worth the effort that it will take to achieve.

I have written a book named, ‘Christ in our Midst.’ It is about the ‘Fruits, Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit.’ Guided by the Holy Spirit, I was searching for the meaning of these words that I knew so little about. Researching and writing “Christ in our Midst’ changed my life. I hope it can help your Journey also. My book, ‘Christ in our Midst’ was published by Covenant Books.

Thank you,

Clairann

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