40 Days of Connection: Close my mouth challenge

Blue Book Lectionary reading. Read full passage here Isaiah 53:7-9

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.

St. Clare of Assisi’s prayer window-Assisi Pilgrimage, Italy 2017. St. Clare’s order of sisters devote themselves to lives of prayer, work, and silence.

How hard is it for you to keep your mouth closed? Truth be told, it might be more of a challenge for Clare than Scott (Scott says he has other challenges.😂) Learning to practice silence daily can help create new neuropathways in the brain that can save you when you might impulsively react rather than thoughtfully respond from a heart listening for the still small voice of God.

Silence creates space to remember who you are, who God is, and contemplate what matters in life. With no one to impress and nothing to prove, there is room for truth.
Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram, Calhoun/Loughrige

Silence Challenge: Palm Sunday- Easter Sunday

  • Find a quiet space inside or outide.
  • Set alarm for 20 minutes so that you don’t have to look at your watch.
  • Begin with a short prayer like-“My soul waits in silence for God only.” (Psalm 62:1)
    When distracted and tempted to come out of silence, just come back to the prayer.

If you get distracted 10,000 times, this prayer will help you return to God in silence 10,000 times, and that friend is awesome!

Taking the Challenge with you,

Scott and Clare

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