Instructions to guide you in a prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on Psalm 27.
Preparation:
IMPORTANT: Read these instructions in their entirety before you begin; and then, put your device/phone/laptop away where it cannot be a distraction. Read the psalm from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 10 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence and plan for the full 10 minutes or more. But most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is ok! Set aside whatever time you think reasonable, and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.
Practice:
The Message translates verses 4 and 5 of Psalm 27 as follows:
I’m asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.
For the next few (or several) moments let God carry the weight, the noise and the busy-ness of life while you simply rest in Him and focus your attention on Him and be with Him. Of course, most of us will find it difficult not to think about all the various Other-Things we could be doing instead, so to help keep yourself anchored you might try using a centering prayer. As your mind wanders over the next few moments of stillness and silence—and it most certainly will—try something like this from verse 8:
Breath In: “Your face, Lord…”
Breath Out: “… do I seek…”
Each time your mind wanders, or Other-Things creep in, breathe your centering prayer, concentrating on the rhythm of your breathing until your mind is still once again and your attention God-ward. It may take a few breaths to get there!
First, read Psalm 27. Then set a time for 3-5 minutes.
Then, after reading the Psalm, begin your time of silence with three deep breaths—inhale deeply and exhale slowly with your centering prayer. Try to be still “with all your heart, mind, body and soul” (Luke 10:27). As thoughts come, or anxieties rise, or distractions pull you away from being still in the presence of God, simply return your mind’s attention and your heart’s affection to God with the centering prayer above.
When the timer ends, read Psalm 27 once more. Then set a timer for another 3-5 minutes, repeating the breathing and silence from above.
When the timer ends, respond. Whatever thoughts remain, whatever emotions discovered, whatever relieved or given; pray that back to the LORD who is present not only in this moment of stillness and silence but also in the noise and buzz of everyday life.
Reflection:
Don’t make any judgments about what just happened. Don’t “evaluate” the experience or judge yourself. Today, let it be enough to create some space to be still with God, allowing your innermost self to come into view in the safe presence of a present Father who loves and cares for you. Once your time is over, simply thank God for your time with Him and move on to what is next in your day.
That’s it! It really is that simple.
(Now, turn your device off.)