Why sitting in silent worship is more important now than ever
Hello dear readers!
Welcome back to our Daily Quaker Message emails! After a summer hiatus, we are excited to be back in your inbox daily.
This month, we explored the theme of Quaker Silence. Why do Quakers incorporate silence into their worship? What are we doing in that silence? What are the potential opportunities and challenges of this form of worship?
In a time of increasing division and concern over the direction of our country and the world, it might feel superfluous or insufficient to spend our time sitting in silent worship. Most Friends I speak with are feeling that action must be taken, and soon.
But what action? This is exactly the moment to apply our nearly-400-year-old practice of waiting on the spirit to guide us, because out of that deep consultation has emerged—time and time again—clear-hearted, bold and consequential action. Grounded in the clarity of our inward guide, and with love in our hearts, we can move mountains.
This has been my personal experience: many of the ideas that have evolved into leadings for me originated from a spark that I experienced during the sacred space of Quaker meeting for worship. Silent worship inspired the music I wrote about Early Quakers going naked through the streets of 17th century England. And it inspired the idea for the QuakerSpeak youtube channel, which I founded in 2013 and has guided over 5 million Quakers and seekers around the world. This project—the one you are reading right now—also emerged out of the silence.
The idea for the Daily Quaker Message came to me while I was sitting in the silence of a meeting for worship, contemplating the spiritual needs of Friends and seekers. It was like Paul McCartney’s experience of writing the song Yesterday—the idea seemed so clear and fully formed that I assumed it already existed and had to google it to discover the contrary.
I’m so grateful for all the many Friends along the way who have encouraged these leadings, who have supported this spiritual calling to build a thriving religious society of Friends in the 21st century, and who have participated in these projects to make them the rich and inspiring resources that they are.
Beginning tomorrow, Maeve is back in the editor’s chair with the theme That of God in Everyone. Many Quakers frame our spiritual commitment based on this idea, and we will spend October exploring the origins, theology, and fruits of our understanding that there is that of God in everyone.
I hope the Daily Quaker Message continues to nurture your spiritual life and the life of your spiritual community. Thank you for following along, and for holding us in the light as we continue to find the way forward with this important work.
In the Spirit,
Jon Watts
Founder and Executive Director, Thee Quaker Project
Reader Responses
How do you use silence outside of Quaker worship?
What role does it play in your daily life?
I use about an hour of silence early each morning as a way to settle an overactive and anxious brain, to practice gratitude for the things that are going well and gratitude for those things that are not going well. I use the time in quiet to think about my place in Creation and my role as a steward (farmer and father) and plan those things that improve the piece of the Earth that I am fortunate to watch over.
Lars P., Tamworth, NH, USA
My initial response was "Silence is without ceasing" much as "Prayer is without ceasing." An extremely difficult practice, and I fail constantly, but one which still remains an active desire. Throughout the day to take each moment, each conversation, each interaction as an act of "listening" to the spirit and acting as if "Thy will be done on Earth" was my prayer in action.
Tom S., Lino Lakes, MN, USA
I rise early, usually between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. The silence in the house is so comforting. It allows me to be mindful even whilst making my morning coffee. To be silent, mindful, and open to the sounds of my small town gradually waking up instills a calm and appreciation of this glorious creation we call home.
David T., Elgin, TX, USA
This Week’s Messages
Silence outside of Quaker meeting
What Quakers do in the silence
Everyone present contributes to Quaker meeting
What undergirds Quaker worship
“These stuffy old Friends are really talking sense”
How Quakers use a “moment of silence”
Banner art by Mark Pratt-Russum
