Be Still

Blossoming Tree image by Danielle Powell

We learned this simple prayer of being from Fr. Richard Rohr. The text comes from Psalm 46:10 of the Hebrew Scriptures: “Be still and know that I am God.”

Instruction

1) Find a quiet place, gently close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Prepare to pray the Psalm in 5 consecutively diminishing sentences.

2) Either aloud or quietly to yourself, say the words, “Be still and know that I am God.”

3) After a couple deep breaths, pray, “Be still and know that I am.”

4) After a couple deep breaths, pray “Be still and know.”

5) After a couple deep breaths, pray, “Be still.”

6) After a couple deep breaths, pray, “Be.”

7) When ready, pray, “Amen.”

This prayer can also be prayed with a group. The facilitator leads with each phrase and the group repeats aloud after each consecutively diminishing phrases. The pause between each phrase can be lengthened depending on your need or the needs of the group.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

To be guided in this brief prayer, click on the Be Still audio or on the video below from The Work of the People.

Be Still from The Gravity Center on Vimeo.

 

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