A journey through faith, resilience, and stillness

How peace is found in the mediations of Abrahamic prayers

"Or of wisdom, M. le Baron — or of wisdom," said Louis XVIIL, laughing; "the greatest captains of antiquity recreated themselves with casting pebbles into the ocean — see Plutarch's life of Scipio Africanus."

— Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo¹

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[This is a revised version of an article I originally published on Substack when I first started writing. To view the original article, click here.]

The world never seems to stop or slow, only pushing ever forward.

This leaves many of us—myself included—struggling to keep up, in the relentless pace of today’s world; always wondering if there is a way to step off the treadmill of endless obligations and notifications.

The demands of work, the pressure to constantly be achieving more, while background noise from our hyper-connected life makes it feel things are disconnected—I know these feelings all too well.

Recently, I found myself yearning for something different, a sense of calm I had once known but seemed to have lost along the way.

Returning to Prayer and Meditation

So, I turned back to an article I’d written, one that explored prayer and meditation—practices shared across the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

I wanted to understand again what I had discovered in those traditions, beyond the historical and ritual aspects.

There was a deeper truth I had touched on—a shared understanding that goes beyond the divides, the conflicts, and the misunderstandings that have plagued these religions for centuries.

It still baffles me—why can’t we simply believe in what we want without harming each other for our differences?

What I sought in revisiting these practices wasn't just theological insight.

I’m searching for common ground, a space without violence or debate, where people of diverse beliefs can find a way to connect.

The Shema: Rooted in Faith

I realized the importance of small daily acts of devotion.

For Jews, the Shema² is more than just words—it is a declaration, twice a day, of unwavering belief.

It begins with:

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שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃

(Hear, O Israel! יהוה is our God, יהוה alone.)

—Deuteronomy 6:4

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It’s a practice of rooting oneself in faith and connecting across generations—a ritual that has survived centuries of struggle and resilience.

The more I thought about the Shema, the more I felt the weight of its simplicity and power.

It’s not about getting it perfect; it’s about allowing it to root me, to steady me through the chaos.

And yet, I realized that I hadn’t fully embraced it in my own journey—one I’ve been considering not only for my own sake but also for the shared future with my wife.

The Intentional Pause of Salat

The Shema reminds me of something a friend and colleague once told.

He’s a devout Muslim, and performs the Salat, or the five daily prayers³.

Unlike occasional moments of mindfulness, Salat establishes a consistent rhythm that draws believers back to God throughout the day, offering a pause for clarity and a way to realign with what truly matters.

Though I don’t perform Salat myself, I started creating my own pauses—moments to breathe, to reconnect with my place on Earth.

These pauses became moments of fresh air, where I could step back and find perspective, reminding myself that even when things felt out of control, I still had the power to find stillness.

The Comfort of the Lord's Prayer

I’ve grown up surrounding by Christians. My mother’s family was Lutheran, and her sister (my aunt) married a Catholic, so over the years I’ve become familiar with the Lord's Prayer⁴, also called "Our Father" (Matthew 6:9-13).

Its words were easy to memorize, but for a long time, I didn’t truly grasp their depth.

Reading the reflections of Origen of Alexandria, an early Christian scholar, shifted my perspective.

In "On Prayer," Origen described the Lord's Prayer as a dynamic conversation with God, one that encompasses all the core aspects of faith—devotion, humility, and the yearning for divine guidance⁵.

It’s not just about reciting lines; it’s about finding connection.

When I began repeating the Lord's Prayer in challenging moments, it became something more—it brought comfort and a reminder to take things one day at a time, to find forgiveness and let go of bitterness.

The Power of Stillness Across Traditions

What I discovered through these practices—the Shema, Salat, the Lord’s Prayer—was a shared purpose, a common truth across all three faiths: the importance of pausing.

Each tradition also has meditative practices that invite stillness and reflection:

• Judaism’s Hitbodedut⁶ allows for raw, open conversations with God

• Islam’s Dhikr⁷, repeating God’s names, brings peace through rhythm

• Christianity’s Centering Prayer⁸ offers stillness by focusing on a sacred word

These moments aren’t about escaping life but stepping back to re-enter it with clarity and strength, reminding me that true peace comes not from control, but from letting go and trusting in something greater.

Ancient Practices as Lifelines

Through this journey, I discovered that prayer and meditation are not just relics of the past—they are lifelines, giving us essential moments to pause and reflect, reminding us of what truly matters.

In a world that moves quickly, I realize these practices anchors in the present, not distant relics of traditions that no longer hold relevance.

Whether it’s a formal prayer, a meditative practice, or a simple breath, these moments of stillness have taught me that peace and strength are within reach—waiting in the actions we choose to create.

Finding Stillness Today

Even in a world that refuses to stop, there is always space for stillness, to breathe, and to simply be—a way to reconnect with myself, with others, and with something greater, reminding me that even when I feel alone, there are timeless guides to show me the way forward.

So, I leave you with a question to reflect on:

How can incorporating intentional pauses—through prayer, meditation, or moments of stillness—help you reconnect with yourself, find inner peace, and strengthen your relationships with others and with something greater?

1. Page 111

2. The Shema is a central Jewish prayer and declaration of faith, emphasizing the oneness of God:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Recited twice daily, the Shema serves as a reminder of devotion, love for God, and connection across generations.

It consists of three sections (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41), covering God’s unity, the importance of following His commandments, and wearing tzitzit as reminders.

The Shema is also integral in Jewish rituals such as morning and evening prayers, bedtime recitations, and is reflected in practices involving tefillin and mezuzah.

3. Salat is the Islamic practice of five daily prayers:

1. Fajr (2 rak'ahs, dawn) with recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah (Quran 1:1-7) and an additional surah such as Al-Ikhlas (Quran 112)

2. Dhuhr (4 rak'ahs, midday), beginning with Al-Fatihah, and additional verses in the first two rak'ahs

3. Asr (4 rak'ahs, afternoon), beginning with Al-Fatihah, and additional verses in the first two rak'ahs

4. Maghrib (3 rak'ahs, evening) with Al-Fatihah and a surah in the first two rak'ahs

5. Isha (4 rak'ahs, night), similar to Dhuhr and Asr

Each are performed at specific times, incorporating verses from the Quran, such as Surah Al-Fatihah (Quran 1:1-7), and other invocations.

These prayers emphasize devotion, submission, and mindfulness, and are performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca (Quran 2:144).

Detailed descriptions of the prayers can be found in Hadith collections and in the Quran for guidance on specific recitations and practices.

4. Here is each line of the Lord's Prayer in Greek, Latin, German, and French, with the corresponding English headers:

1. Our Father, who art in heaven

• Greek: Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

• Latin: Pater noster, qui es in caelis,

• German: Vater unser im Himmel,

• French: Notre Père qui es aux cieux,

2. Hallowed be Thy name

• Greek: Ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου.

• Latin: Sanctificetur nomen tuum.

• German: Geheiligt werde dein Name.

• French: Que ton nom soit sanctifié,

3. Thy kingdom come

• Greek: Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου.

• Latin: Adveniat regnum tuum.

• German: Dein Reich komme.

• French: Que ton règne vienne,

4. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

• Greek: Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

• Latin: Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.

• German: Dein Wille geschehe, wie im Himmel, so auf Erden.

• French: Que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel.

5. Give us this day our daily bread

• Greek: Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον.

• Latin: Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie.

• German: Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.

• French: Donne-nous aujourd'hui notre pain de ce jour.

6. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us

• Greek: Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν.

• Latin: Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.

• German: Und vergib uns unsere Schuld, wie auch wir vergeben unsern Schuldigern.

• French: Pardonne-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés.

7. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

• Greek: Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.

• Latin: Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.

• German: Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung, sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.

• French: Et ne nous soumets pas à la tentation, mais délivre-nous du mal.

This presentation showcases the Lord's Prayer across four major languages, emphasizing its universal nature and the shared spirituality of different Christian communities.

5. For more clarity and details on Origen’s thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer, as translated by William A. Curtis, see pages 33-41 and 63.

6. Hitbodedut is a form of personal, unstructured prayer in Judaism, promoted by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, who encouraged daily, solitary conversation with God (Rebbe Nachman, Likutey Moharan). This practice emphasizes speaking openly in one’s own words, aiming for emotional and spiritual growth (Outpouring of the Soul). Reb Noson elaborated on Hitbodedut as a tool for overcoming challenges and nurturing resilience (Advice by Reb Noson).

7. Dhikr, the repetition of God’s names, is a key Islamic practice for cultivating peace and divine connection. Adkhar: The Remembrance of Allah offers a compilation of daily Dhikr practices, while Dhikr and Supplication in Conformity with the Qur’an and Sunnah provides authentic supplications from the Qur'an and Hadith, focusing on their spiritual benefits. Remembrance of the Most Merciful by Ibn al-Qayyim explores the spiritual power of Dhikr, while The Book of Assistance by Imam Al-Haddad provides guidance on using Dhikr for spiritual growth.

8. The Cloud of Unknowing is a 14th-century Christian mystical text foundational to the practice of Centering Prayer. It teaches the use of a sacred word to focus the mind, facilitating direct experience of God beyond rational thought.

[An additional Cloud of Unknowing is available here.]

Thomas Keating's Open Mind, Open Heart further formalizes Centering Prayer by providing practical methods and spiritual insights to engage in this contemplative approach.