Dwell in the Stillness of the Almighty
“In the stillness and silence of the power of the Almighty dwell, which never varies, alters, nor changes, but preserveth over and out of, and above all the changeable worships, religions, ministers, churches, teachings, principalities, and powers, with the power of God, which keepeth over all this, to the kingdom of Christ, that is everlasting, in which there is no changing, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords. […]
So wait all in it, that ye may be possessors and inheritors of the kingdom, and of the life and power which hath no end, and of the promises, that are yea and amen; and let nothing, that is of the world, alter you, but keep ye in that which keepeth you in the everlasting kingdom of God.”
— George Fox, 1661
Cofounder of the Religious Society of Friends
Reader Responses
What do you value about silence?
What are the fruits of sitting in silence?
Silence enfolds me like a blanket against the cold. From the warmth and security of the silence I am free to listen with my heart to the loving presence of the Spirit. Free to explore my questions. Free to feel the answers formed by love.
Jami B, Grove City OH
I value the quality of expectant waiting, like I’m a child who’s planted strawberries with her grandmother. Both of us are waiting with trust and hope and Grandmother’s confidence that there will be flowers. She assures me that the flowers will turn into fruit that will ripen and grow red. We can both taste the sun ripened and watched strawberry sometimes while we’re waiting for the snow to melt and reveal our plants.
That kind of waiting despite the political climate or the engine light coming on and no money for repairs or a very sad death, knowing that at the end of the drive there will be reunion with family or friends, warmth, gladness and light.
Esther G, Philadelphia PA
Silence brings me into the ultimate dimension. Getting past my chattering, self-preoccupation brings a calm centeredness. In this Home is the possibility of fresh insights.
Carmel M, Rochester NY
This Week’s Messages
Mon Sep 01
A Communion as Strong as in Any Bread and Wine
“For the last 350 years, gathered silence has been the foundation of Quaker worship. The silence of Quaker worship, however, is not an end in itself, but an opportunity for seeking communion with the Sacred.” …
Tue Sep 02
Why We Can Hardly Bear to Remain Silent
“One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. If we are silent, who will take control? God will take control, but we will never let him take control until we trust him. Silence is intimately related to trust.” …
Wed Sep 03
The One Cornerstone of Quaker Belief
“The one cornerstone of belief upon which the Society of Friends is built is the conviction that God does indeed communicate with each one of the spirits He has made, in a direct and living inbreathing of some measure of the breath of His own Life; that He never leaves Himself without a witness in the heart as well as in the surroundings of man; that the measure of light, life, or grace thus given increases by obedience; and that in order clearly to hear the Divine voice speaking within us we need to be still; to be alone with Him, in the secret place of His Presence; that all flesh should keep silence before Him.” …
Thu Sep 04
Sitting in Silence Until it Silences Us
“Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful, and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise.” …
Fri Sep 05
The Amazing Fact of Quaker Worship
“Some Friends are able to recall with clarity the first occasion on which they attended a Quaker meeting. While I cannot remember when or where I did so, I do have a vivid recollection of the meeting which I began to attend regularly. It was held in a rather hideous building: the meeting room was dingy. We sat on rickety chairs that creaked at the slightest movement. The whole place gave little hope that those who worshipped there might catch a glimpse of the vision of God. It was in stark contrast to the splendour of the Anglican churches to which I had been accustomed, where through dignified ritual the beauty of holiness was vividly portrayed. However, it was in this unlikely setting that I came to know what I can only describe as the amazing fact of Quaker worship.” …
Sat Sep 06
Becoming Empty for God
“The use of silence or solitude as a doorway to the Divine has a long history in the Christian tradition. Jesus often went away to pray alone. (Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16). Early Christian monastics went to live alone in the desert in the fourth century AD to find and love God. This type of spirituality remains important in the Orthodox Christian Church under the term Hesychasm (quietness, rest, inner peace). It continues in the Catholic monastic tradition under the term ‘contemplation.’ Since the seventeenth century, Quakers have often used ‘silent worship’ as a part of their corporate worship. Quakers have more accurately termed this practice ‘expectant waiting.'” …
Banner art by Mark Pratt-Russum
Source of today’s message
