Absolutely Yours

Allen, you write so much about silent prayer, but I find it difficult. Every time I give it a try all kinds of thoughts pop up. One time my prom date popped up, and I hadn’t seen or heard from him in thirty years. Can you give me some suggestions to help with these thoughts?

Like other Truth “teachers,” I speak and write about the importance of silent prayer. Because I believe it is an essential practice, I hammer away at the nail of silent prayer like a crazed carpenter. Silent prayer is important, but it’s not the end goal. Silent prayer is a means to an end, and that end is Revelation. And nothing facilitates Divine Revelation like silent prayer.

But, as the questioner points out, silent prayer has its challenges. The main challenge is handling those random, unrelated thoughts that buzz around in your mind while you’re trying to listen to the “still small voice.” Here’s how most have handled it: They stopped doing it. That’s not a wise choice. Without the practice of silent prayer, you can believe God is All, you can affirm God’s Allness, but you can never know that God is All. That truth must be revealed, and silent prayer expedites that Revelation.

In past writings, I’ve suggested many ways to deal with these busy-bee thoughts. In one post, I urged you to stop trying to still your mind. That is a game you cannot win. In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve found to be the least frustrating and the most effective practice to deal with those pesky, unwanted thoughts.

When your silent session begins, know that thoughts will come up. Let them. That’s right. Don’t fight them. Don’t try to mentally swat them away. Just let them come. However, at the outset know this: THOUGHTS HAVE NO POWER TO OBSTRUCT, HINDER OR DELAY MY REALIZATION OF GOD.

Isn’t that comforting? Because those irksome thoughts have no power to obstruct Revelation, you don’t have to fight them. They are no longer your enemy. They are powerless. You may have to refocus your attention many times, but the fighting is over.

Have you ever watched the sun peek through the clouds? That’s how Revelation emerges through a cloud of unwanted thoughts. It’s a beautiful experience, but you will only know it once you’ve tried it.

Don’t give up on silent prayer. Try this approach for a few weeks and see for yourself how effective it is.