Phenomenology of Prayer II

In the book, "The Phenomenology of Prayer", edited by Bruce Ellis Benson and Norman Wirzba, it mentions the importance of silence during prayer. Some individuals may "keep [them]selves surrounded by noise, almost as a barrier to protect [them] from hearing the voice of any other" (Benson, Wirzba 20). Silence is also prevalent during a tragic or stressful situation. In very stressful situations, individuals may fall silent because their body feels most protected by keeping to itself. These situations may also bring these individuals together, even though they have never spoken before. In this case, the silence alone is enough communication that these people understand how the other was feeling during the stressful situation. Take a bank robbery for example. Some of the bank tellers, employees, or customers may become vocal, but many will most likely shut down and remain silent throughout the ordeal. Many are strangers, but it would be easy to tell how they are feeling from whether they are silent or vocal. Silence brings people together, and allows room for God to intervene when God is needed.