Silent Prayer – Loving Awareness
St. John teaches that as the soul matures, prayer often becomes simpler and quieter. Words decrease. Concepts fade. What remains is a "loving awareness." Many people become discouraged when prayer feels dry or thoughts seem scattered, but John suggests this is a sign of growth. God may be drawing the soul beyond "discursive" prayer (thinking and talking) into contemplative stillness. In this stage, prayer is less about thinking about God and more about simply being with God. It resembles the comfortable silence of two old friends who no longer need to fill the air with noise.
Silence can be uncomfortable because it exposes our inner restlessness and our need to be "productive." Yet it is precisely in this silence that God works most deeply, infusing grace directly into the spirit beyond our conscious understanding. John warns against trying to force spiritual experiences or "feelings." We do not manufacture contemplation; we simply show up, remain attentive, and consent to God’s action. The fruit of silent prayer is often found outside of prayer: in increased patience, humility, and a steady interior peace. If your prayer feels quiet or wordless, do not rush to fill it with your own voice. Stay in the stillness. Love does not always need speech to be heard
Questions for the Day
Do I feel like I have to keep talking for my prayer to "count"?
Can I spend just three minutes today sitting in silence, simply "looking" at God while He "looks" at me?
What is the difference between "lonely silence" and "loving silence" in my life?
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2026@Go Deeper Ministries
