Silence is a prayer.

A poem & thought on prayer.

Welcome to my Substack!

My name is Tanner Olson and I am an author, poet, and speaker. Here I share whatever comes to mind. Often I’ll post a prayer or poem or reflection or story. Before you move onto the next thing hit the subscribe button! Thanks for being here.

Already a subscriber? Consider becoming a paid subscriber!

A poem from my book, As You Go: Words for the Unknown

I’ve been trying to pray
but most days
I’ve got nothing to say
so I smile
with my eyes 
and keep them to the sky
watching and waiting
and 
it’s not that I don’t want to talk
to God
but I’m learning to believe praying
doesn’t always mean talking
and I’m beginning
to sit still and 
listen
to listen still with 
a smile on my face
below the sky
watching and waiting
because one day
I’ll have something to say

I used to think I had to speak while praying, but sometimes there are no words.
Sometimes it is just you, God, and the silence of another day.
On days like this I open my empty hands and sit, reminding myself that I do not have to bring anything to the table to hold space with God.

With or without words the invitation remains.

Come to me.

So, I do.

I am not just sitting in silence, but with the One who holds all things in His hands.
I am quiet, but I am not alone.
I am still, but I am not forgotten.
Like a father sits with his son, so does God sit with me.
I am seen and safe.
I breathe in and out.
I just am with the great I AM.

When you have nothing to say, let there be silence. 

Let there be rest.
Let there be peace.
Let yourself remember that you are not alone or forgotten, but seen and safe.

---

---

Thank you for being here. If you’re a paid subscriber, or if you’ve purchased my books, I can’t thank you enough for your continued kindness.

For more poetry and stories follow me on Instagram and Facebook.