In the Pauses
a liturgy for classroom wait time
As I breathe in to pause in wait time,
bless me with Your peace.
As I glance at the clock,
remind me that You are with me in this moment.
As I look into my students’ faces,
give me the grace not to rush the quiet.
As I offer a question or new thought,
help them to accept the invitation
to join me in the pause.
May we listen well together in these waiting times.
As we listen to our own thoughts and questions,
the stirrings of unspoken words,
and new thoughts emerging deep within,
we are waiting for the voice
that will rise to break the silence
and give new form to our listening.
During the still pause of wait time,
come, and be present in our midst…
in the lesson,
our questions,
and our discoveries and realizations.
Guide me as I lead my students into wait time.
Teach me how to acquaint them
with that space of silence.
May they see it as a place to explore,
a sacred space of wonder.
May they see it as a place to dwell,
a familiar space to return to often.
May these pauses not be wasted times.
May they expand our hearts attention.
May they give us patience with our questions.
May they focus our minds
on what is true and right.
I trust You to direct this pause of wait time.
Give me a discerning heart to know
when to speak and when to refrain.
I am learning to listen for Your voice, saying
“This is the way.”
As I pause, You tell me what I am waiting for.
Grant my heart the grace
to stay expectant in the waiting
and the wisdom not speak too soon.
With our wait time, we honor You,
Creator of all of Time in heaven and on earth.
You breathed Time into the fabric of the sky
and wove it into the very dust of our being.
You hallow our pauses
with Your creating presence,
and we wait for You.
All Our Times Are in Your Hands.
Amen.
Further exploration
You can find a printable version of this liturgy here: In the Pauses.
Post Author
Series Editor
Image designed by Elaine Liu.
Master Teaching 
Recent Comments