Are you a person of prayer?
Whose prayers have gone silent?
Or maybe prayer is a new practice for you,
And you wonder.
If your present challenge to find words means you'll always struggle to find faith,
Take heart,
And find hope here today.
You are not alone.
These are experiences and questions common to people of many faith and spiritual practices.
I'm Angela.
And I'm honored to guide you in a brief daily practice.
To soften the silence.
When prayer goes quiet.
Let's begin.
Find a comfortable position.
Attentive.
Yet relaxed.
Allow a few moments here for any micro movements your body needs to help you feel more settled more secure in your environment.
As it feels safe for you,
I invite you to soften your gaze.
Or even close your eyes.
Begin bringing your attention gently to your breath.
Only noticing,
Not judging.
Nor forcing any change.
Now with each of your next few inhales,
See if you can invite the breath just a little deeper.
Exhaling fully and with ease after every one.
Until the breath comes to rest.
All the way at the bottom of your belly.
Safe and warm.
We're going to stay with this pattern of breathing.
Inhaling slowly to the belly.
Exhaling gently and with ease.
While we make our way intentionally toward 2 minutes of silence.
Now the silence we're going to hold together will be supported by light background music.
Over time.
This practice will empower you.
To hold deeper and longer silences without filling in the background.
If you find your mind wandering during the silence,
It's okay.
Acknowledge the thought that arrives,
Release it,
And return to those nice,
Easy belly breaths.
This silence is your prayer today.
It holds everything needful.
You showing up in your silence is enough.
So let us enter quiet space together.
Silence is a profound prayer.
Your mindful presence in your silence holds everything needful to connect with your higher power.
It is enough.
You are enough.
Thank you for joining me in this daily practice.
