In this sermon, Pastor Johanna Kelly explores wordless or contemplative prayer—a form of prayer beyond language, where we meet God in silence and presence rather than through words. It reflects on those moments in life, whether joyful, sorrowful, or ordinary, when words fail and we sense the divine near. Contemplative prayer is not about doing but about being fully present, allowing God’s love to meet us where we are. As we open our hearts, we move from knowing about God to truly knowing God.
Questions:
1. Have you ever experienced a moment where words felt completely inadequate—either in sorrow or joy? What was that moment like for you?
2. Why do you think silence and stillness are often so uncomfortable for us? What tends to surface in you when you try to be quiet before God?
3. The sermon mentions that “progress in intimacy with God means progress towards silence.” What might this mean for your own prayer life?
4. What does it mean to you to bring your “whole self” to God in prayer—your past, present, hurts, and hopes?
5. How do your current images of God and of yourself shape the way you approach prayer?
6. The sermon says, “Maybe Jesus is inviting you to trust that God is love.” What might that invitation look like for you right now?
7. What practices (breath prayers, centering prayer, meditation, silence) help you become more present to God? Which ones feel most challenging?
8. If contemplative prayer is about “being fully present — in heart, mind, and body — to what is,” how might this posture transform your daily life, not just your prayer life?
9. The sermon highlights that God knocks and invites us to ‘sit and stay awhile.’ How might your community or relationships change if you embodied that same invitation for others?
10. How can contemplative or wordless prayer help bridge the divide between the seen (our human experience) and the unseen (the divine presence)?
