Bearing Silence with Love

A Call for St. John’s Presbyterian Church
By The Rev. Dr Jon Burnham, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas

In Houston’s fast-paced world, silence feels rare—especially when someone we love is hurting. Romans 12:15 urges us to “mourn with those who mourn.” At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, we’re learning to carry others’ silence as a sacred act of love.

When Jesus faced the cross, He asked His disciples to “keep watch” with Him in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38)—not to fix His pain, but to be present. Like Job’s friends sitting silently for seven days (Job 2:13), our presence can say, “You are not alone.”

Try This: Companionable Silence

Spend time with someone in Houston—a friend or church member—without needing to speak:

• Take a quiet walk in a park.
• Share a coffee, letting pauses linger.
• Sit by someone’s side, noticing their unspoken needs.

This practice builds trust and shows Christ’s love, reminding us of His promise: “I will never leave you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Prayer
Lord, teach us at St. John’s to bear others’ silence with love. 

Let our presence reflect Your nearness. 

Amen.



If you are mourning in silence, you may want to consider coming to our Healing Hearts: Grief Support Group.

Learn more in the book When You Choose Silence on Amazon (https://a.co/d/1FRcgoN) for more on living with intention.