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Solitude and Silence in Worship
sometimes "silence offers the greatest eloquence." Here is another helpful view on silence, this time by Henri Nouwen. SOLITUDE AND SILENCE Solitude and silence can never be separated from the call to unceasing prayer. If solitude were primarily an escape from a busy job, and silence primarily an escape from a noisy milieu, they could easily become very self-centered forms of asceticism. But solitude and silence are for prayer. The Desert Fathers did not think of solitude as being alone, but as being alone with God. They did not think of silence as not speaking, but as listening to God. Solitude and silence are the context within which prayer is practiced. —Henri Nouwen, in THE WAY OF THE HEART (New York: The Seabury Press, 1981), page 53. ISBN: 0345329597 [Do we have a good balance in our prayer lives between listening and responding? What would a little more thoughtful silence accomplish in our times of corporate worship? Can we call something "silent prayer" if there is instrumental music in the background? I don’t think so. Take a look at Psalm 62:5-6. Although the psalmist valued silence as an important part of his relationship with God, he also used words (many words) and vocal melodies and instruments to "voice" his prayer before the Almighty. Let us pray that the Lord will lead us to a useful, God-focused balance between sound and silence, between solitude and fellowship.] Have a great week. Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu/icw |