The Prayer of Silence

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 1

2. Situating this Study 9

3. Literature Review 27

4. The Findings of this Study 37

5. Discussion 51

6. Conclusion 71

7. Author’s Note 75

Bibliography 77
Further Reading 79
Appendix 1: The Method of Centering Prayer 85
Appendix 2: In Their Own Words 87

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathy (Kathleen) Holley, PhD, is a speaker, educator, and retreat leader of Christian Contemplative Prayer: The Prayer of Silence. She completed her PhD research through the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in the UK. Upon completion of her studies and the subsequent book: The Prayer of Silence, she began developing Holistic Wellbeing, International (Howe’ Int.). She is continuing to build upon this platform in three ways:

• Wellbeing in Prayer (WIP) supports the education and practice of Christian Contemplative Prayer.

• Wellbeing in Nature NW, (WIN NW) through which, as a certified Forest Therapy guide, she educates and guides others through the holistic wellbeing benefits of immersive forest experiences, also referred to forest bathing. Through these sensory engaging opportunities, participants also enter spaces within nature to rest in God’s silent presence.

• Wellbeing on Wheels (WOW) is a developing ministry in partnership with local churches, working toward the mentorship and discipleship of inner-city kids and their increasing growth and self-confidence through the medium of bicycle riding.

Through this three-pronged ministry of Holistic Wellbeing, International, Dr. Holley continues to share greater understanding of the blessings of silence within an intentional awareness of God’s presence, and the gift of sharing God’s love and grace with others.

QUESTIONS TO THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
The research study, on which this book is based, helped to illuminate continued insights into the Christian practice of contemplative prayer. My desire in writing this book was simple. I wanted to share those insights with others, insights which long-term Christian Contemplative Prayer practitioners had so graciously shared with me. My hope is that the information contained in this book will help to inform, inspire, and enrich other’s understanding of this ancient Christian prayer practice and enhance their relationship with God. Our relationship with God does not call us toward simply knowing more about God, but rather that we would come to know God better and to grow in who we are in Christ. Spending time with God, even in the silence, can draw us closer in our understanding of who God is. This book helps to describe the Christian Contemplative Prayer practice, and the way in which it can be an important part of one’s spiritual discipline. As Christians, we hunger for a prayer-filled life, that is enriched by the practice of the presence of God.

2. What is distinctive about content of your book?
The book’s distinction, based on extensive grounded theory research, is one of the few studies to explore the lived experience of long-term Christian Contemplative Prayer practitioners (2-40+ years). The analysis of that research supports the content of this book, bringing increasing understanding to the interrelatedness of embodiment and well‐being, within this silent prayer practice. Furthermore, although scholars suggest Christian Contemplative Prayer influences practitioners’ holistic well-being, the importance of embodiment within this practice is less understood. Within the concept of Embodiment, corresponding understandings of Embodied Self, Embodied in Christian Community, Embodied Space, and Embodied in God, were also developed. This helped to further expand insights into the Christian’s holistic prayerful experience of body, mind, and spirit in God’s presence, and how that influences not only an individual’s personal well‐being (leading to embodied wholeness) but also their communal, environmental, and spiritual well‐being.The book also presents greater understanding of the individual uniqueness and diversity of methods found within the actual practice of this silent prayer practice.

3. Why is this subject important?
Secular spirituality practices and many of the world’s religions offer contemplative techniques to help relieve anxiety and stress, to calm the body and mind, or to deal with mental distractions. Yet, the Christian practice of contemplative prayer has been absent within many Christian communities, in ways that spiritually sensitive Christian seekers can be susceptible to some of these other imitations and distortions of this practice. An individual can be drawn by the perceived therapeutic benefits and perceptions of a stronger inner sense of centeredness, meaning, and even healing. The physical or psychological benefits can tend to place one’s focus on one’s self rather than on God or one’s relationship with God.
In the Christian tradition, contemplative prayer is understood through Scripture and ancient church practices. It is currently receiving increasing attention and global growth as a Christian spiritual discipline. Christian Contemplative Prayer promotes an inner silent awareness of God’s presence, which is not to be confused with an emptying of the mind, but rather a silencing of the mental chatter – placing one’s intentional focus on God. The aim of this book is to provide us as Christians with greater understanding in embracing Christian Contemplative Prayer’s holistic wellbeing and embodiment, further allowing the presence of God to fill our daily lives and our relationships.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry?
This increasing understanding can benefit 1) those who wish to learn more about and practice this Christian spiritual discipline, 2) scholars who want to build upon and understand the insights from this research, and 3) Christian leaders seeking to practice and teach this prayer practice to others. Greater clarity of this practice can open doors of understanding for the global church community, helping Christian traditions and individuals alike better appreciate and cultivate this embodied prayer practice within their own spiritual disciplines. In this way they can comprehend, participate, and benefit from this embodied Christian prayer practice within their relational understanding of and communion with God.

5. Feel free to add anything else you find relevant.
As this ancient prayer practice is growing within the Christian community, academic interest and understanding are advancing, yet many questions remain unanswered about this contemplative, spiritual path. This research study addressed the lacuna within published research examining the lived experience of long‐term Christian Contemplative Prayer practitioners, recognizing that this silent prayer practice allows us an opportunity to set aside all our busy-ness and just rest in the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

This research findings enhanced our understanding of the important element of embodiment within this practice. Embodied spiritual practices recognize the body within our spirituality; however, we risk idolatry if we place the body, rather than God, at the centre of our spiritual practices. Paul says: ‘Glorify God in your body’ (I Cor. 6:20). He does not say: ‘Glorify your body.’ Christian Contemplative Prayer supports holistic well‐being and engages one’s whole being – body, mind, and spirit – in an embodied awareness of God’s presence. In this way, we glorify God with body, mind, and spirit.

My hope is that the experience of other long-term practitioners of this silent prayer practice, which have been diligently expressed in this book, will help you to grow in your spirituality and be drawn closer to the presence of God in your daily life. May you be blessed in your growing awareness of God’s presence.

The prayer of silence is in reality a call to deep soul activity. This book beckons us to find a sacred place to allow our spirit to connect with the spirit of God.
Jim Filbeck, Secretary/Treasurer, MN District Council of the Assemblies of God

In the age of brokenness all around us, this research on contemplative prayer brings the vision of wholeness in our lives and also the world we live and engage with every day. The world, which is filled with loud noises competing for our attention even in Christian spirituality, the author convinces us of the power of stillness as a means of embodiment in multiple dimensions.
Wonsuk Ma, Executive Director, Center for Spirit‐Empowered Research, Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity, Oral Roberts University

This author brings to our attention the importance of Christian Contemplative Prayer through which individuals and communities commune with God in his divine ineffable loving presence. Such prayers bring us to a deeper self‐understanding and self‐awareness in our
embodied selves before God and help us to relate to other people and God’s creation with a holistic sense of well‐being (Shalom). The book will encourage the readers to practise such life‐transforming prayers.
Damon So, Research Tutor, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

In a world of noise (cars, bombings, people voicing their needs, rights and complaints), Kathy Holley invites the reader to contemplate the prayer of silence. This time of quietness is a mean to contemplate the One who is in “the still small voice” 1 Kings 19:12b. I appreciate this book
that makes a difference between Christian spiritual discipline of meditation with eastern religious transcendental meditation found in Hinduism and Buddhism. This is a must‐read book.
Philemon Salam SABA, Pastor New Life, Assemblies of God Burkina Faso

Kathy Holley’s work offers a significant corrective to the traditional evangelical suspicion of contemplative prayer. Through listening to the experience of Christian practitioners, she enables the reader to explore and engage with the riches of apophatic prayer from an orthodox perspective.
Rev Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield

Dr Kathleen Holley has written a tremendous book that addresses a topic that is critical for the follower of Christ. The Prayer of Silence speaks of waiting on the lord, prayerful meditation, and the practice of silence when praying. The discipline of being silent for short and long
lengths of time enables the Christian to clear their thoughts so that the Holy Spirit can be heard with better clarity. Her historical research highlights the centuries of godly people who have demonstrated this discipline. All of us desperately need to hear the clear – wonderful
direction that the Holy Spirit freely gives. “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Wayde Goodall, author

We have much to learn about the impact of prayer on the life of the practitioner. Kathleen Holley provides a scholarly approach and insights into Christian Contemplative prayer, walking the reader through the evolution of the practice, and through her own qualitative research and analysis developed theoretical frameworks for understanding the interrelated dimensions of Christian Contemplative prayer as it relates to the practitioner. Holley’s work advances our understandings of contemplative prayer practices, the impact on the practitioner’s wellbeing and on the practitioner’s relational understanding of God. This book is a valuable read for scholars, spiritual directors, ministry leaders, and seminary students.
Reverend Todd Wright, Chaplain Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The ancient practice of contemplative prayer has experienced a resurgence in recent years making it worthy of study. Kathleen Holley offers insight into contemplative prayer, discovering how the practice is embodied and the many benefits it brings. Holley shines light on an ancient Christian prayer practice with a contemporary twist.
Peter Althouse, Oral Roberts University

This little study on contemplative prayer is a wonderful contribution to the understanding of the role of embodiment, with all its dimensions, in our spiritual practice.
Marco Schorlemmer, WCCM coordinator and scientist

Too many of us are feeling preoccupied with unsettling anxiety that define our existence. Kathy Holley’s writing on The Prayer of Silence is an important antidote for our divided lives that beckons us into deeper levels of God’s grace and holistic well‐being which he intended.
Roger Heuser, Professor of Leadership Studies at Vanguard University

This book starts out with a thorough though brief summary of the Christian contemplative history that situates it within the tradition starting in the early days of the followers of Jesus. While contemplative prayer may be new to modern day Christians, it is not new within the Christian tradition. Because Kathy interviewed so many long‐time practitioners and ultimately started her own contemplative practice, she brings a familiar description of the fruits of contemplative prayer in modern language:
“This Christian embodied prayer practice can influence a holistic well‐being (body, mind, and spirit) within the long‐term practitioner,” in addition to fostering “a greater awareness of the presence of God.” I felt as if I was reading about my own long‐time experience with contemplative prayer. She notes that because Christian contemplative prayer has only been brought back into the mainstream in the last 50 or so years, there is not much academic research like there is in some of the Eastern meditation traditions (Buddhism, mindfulness). As contemplative practices continue to grow in modern times, more attention needs to be paid to research to bring together ancient Christian contemplative prayer with modern science. This book highlights that need and is a good start!
Julie Saad, author of Contemplative Life: Discovering Our Path into the Heart of God