Silence

I've always thought that silence is something that is almost essential for effective prayer. Obviously, everyone is different, but I prefer no noise when I pray, and I think that it helps me to connect with my words a bit more.

The fact is that when we pray in silence, we can concentrate more. If we have music playing along in the background, we find ourselves singing along in our heads instead of speaking to God. If we are watching TV, we want to see what's going on in the programme and don't pay full attention to what we're doing. However, if we are in silence, we are fully focused on what we are doing, and we are also focused on the response that God is giving back because, as I have already said in a previous post, prayer is a conversation.

I realise that it's near impossible to find somewhere that is completely silent. There aren't many places where the absence of noise is absolute in today's loud and crowded world. However, your chosen place doesn't have to be completely silent: just as close to silence as is possible, for when we begin praying small noises like the traffic outside of our windows, the ticking of clocks, and even the sound of cats scratching on doors downstairs are all drowned out, because in the end God is bigger than the noises that might distract us.

Then why should we have to find silence in the first place; if God is bigger than the noises, surely it doesn't matter how loud our surroundings are? But to that, I say this: no one is perfect at drowning out distractions, and the noise of prayer only overcomes the noise of the world when we are praying. If we are surrounded by music and television, it can be difficult to begin praying.

So, just as something that I have noticed in my own prayer life, I would recommend trying to find the quietest place as possible to pray. Even if it's not totally silent, if there is little noise it is so much easier to concentrate, and prayer can be more effective.