Should I Practice Verbal Prayer or Silent Prayer?

 

”Should I practice verbal prayer or silent prayer?”

I say you do not need to pick one over the other.

Practice both.

Verbal prayer allows you to externalize your internal voice.

Sometimes we just need to get things out of our head so we can move forward.

This means we might rant, rave and complain.

It also means we might pray for others and ourselves.

Lastly we can praise and thank God.

Now let’s transition to silent prayer.

Silent prayer is wordless prayer.

We sit in silence with God.

We rest in God.

Little children often just need a hug while they remain quiet.

Silent prayer is just like this.

We just need God to hug us while we silently sit.

So I say don’t pick one type of prayer over another.

Balance your verbal prayer with silent prayer.

Let them both complement each other.

And see what happens……

Go Further:

Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition  by Thomas Keating and Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening were the first two books I read as I began my Centering Prayer practice.

Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird

Be Still and Listen: Experience the Presence of God in Your Life by Amos Smith

Living In God:  Contemplative Prayer and Contemplative Action by Nicholas Amato

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks – This is a great way to listen to books with your cell phone while you drive, walk or relax at home.  I frequently listen in my car during my commute to and from work.  I’m a proud affiliate.

Contemplative Light offers courses on contemplative practices (Christian Meditation, Centering Prayer, The Examen, Lectio Divina, The Jesus Prayer), the Christian mystics (ancient and current) and spiritual writing. Peruse their wonderful offerings.

Ignatian Spirituality for Everyday Life by Margaret Silf: This e-course invites you into a journey of exploration into this practical, real-world approach to Christian spirituality. Discover something of the real Ignatius. Let him guide you into the creative power of your own desires and offer you tools for making wiser choices. Try out some of the methods of prayer and reflection that he suggests, and engage with the power of scriptural meditation. Learn to notice what is moving in your heart, and discern which movements are coming from the deepest core of your being, where God is indwelling.