The Practice of Silence

A #Lent26 Reflection

As we’ve learned through our journey, Lent invites us to slow down, examine our hearts, and return to God.

We live in a time that isn’t particularly still and is rarely quiet. Noise invades every corner and crevice of our lives.

So, the spiritual discipline of silence can feel unfamiliar and even somewhat uncomfortable. Yet, in our practicing silence something sacred begins to unfold. Silence is not emptiness. It is space where God meets us without distraction, without performance, and most importantly, without noise.

Practicing the spiritual discipline of silence is a profound way to draw closer to God, cultivate inner peace, and reflect on His presence in our lives. The Bible teaches us the importance of stillness and quietness, allowing us to hear God’s voice even amidst the noise of the world surrounding us.

The psalmist writes:

Be still, and know that I am God…

Psalm 46:10 ESV

Stillness is not merely the absence of sound; it is the posture of surrender. We practice silence when we cease our striving, still our anxieties, quieten our need to explain ourselves and halt our desire to fix everything. In silence, we are reminded that God is God and we are not.

Lent teaches us that there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak,” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). And perhaps this season, more than any other, leans gently toward silence as an invitation toward a deeper engagement with the presence of God.

When we make room for silence, we also make room for reflection.

In those quiet moments, we begin to notice our fears, our griefs, and our longings that are stirring beneath the surface. You and I can bring them to the Lord, trusting His promise to provide us with a peace transcending all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

For those carrying deeper wounds rooted in anxiety, trauma, or the lingering weight of past experiences, silence becomes a refuge and a place of healing. We are reminded that our identity is not shaped by what has happened to us, but by the One who holds us fast.

Silence also has a way of awakening something within us. Creativity begins to stir. Words come. Images form. The soul begins to speak in a different language that is more honest, more prayerful, and more alive.

Lent is not about rushing toward transformation. It is about waiting in the presence of God long enough to be transformed.

So this season, consider practicing silence, not as a task to complete, but as a space to enter. As you engage in this practice, approach it with an open heart, seeking God’s presence, and allowing His peace to fill you as you navigate your journey ahead.

Sit quietly.
Breathe deeply.
Lay down what you are carrying.

And in the stillness, listen.

God is nearer than you think.