Revision #13989
Silent Prayer (Mukdo)
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- The term *mukdo* is written with the Chinese characters 默 ("silent") and 禱 ("to pray"). It refers to prayer offered silently in the heart rather than aloud. It stands in contrast to tongseong gido, in which many people cry out together in audible prayer. It also differs from *mungnyeom*, the bowing of the head in remembrance of the dead. *Mungnyeom* centers on commemoration, whereas *mukdo* is understood as prayer addressed to God.
+ Silent prayer is prayer offered inwardly in the heart without speaking aloud. It stands in contrast to audible corporate prayer, in which many people cry out together in prayer at the same time. It also differs from a moment of silence observed by bowing the head in remembrance of the dead: such a moment centers on commemoration, whereas silent prayer is directed to God.
=
- In Korean churches, *mukdo* has two senses. The first is any silent prayer offered by an individual. The second is the name of an element of worship at the opening of a worship service, in which the congregation prays quietly together.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, the term *mukdo* (silent prayer) has two senses. The first is any silent prayer offered by an individual. The second is the name of an element of worship at the opening of a worship service, in which the congregation prays quietly together.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- Passages that depict standing before God in silence are commonly cited as the basis for *mukdo*:
+ Passages that depict standing before God in silence are commonly cited as the basis for silent prayer:
=
= - Habakkuk 2:20: "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."
= - Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."
= - 1 Samuel 1:13, where Hannah prays in her heart, with only her lips moving
- - Matthew 6:6, the teaching to enter one's closet and pray in secret
+ - Matthew 6:6, the teaching to enter into one's closet and pray in secret
=
- Christian worship traditions have long included periods of silence after confession or after the reading of the Word. Some denominations, such as the Quakers, place silence itself at the center of worship. Designating *mukdo* as a distinct opening element of worship, however, is a practice particularly characteristic of Korean churches. Some argue that the practice was influenced by the silent prayer (Japanese *mokutō*) imposed as part of compulsory national ceremonies during the Japanese colonial period. Others hold that it was a church custom that predates that era, and opinions on its origin therefore remain divided.
+ Christian worship traditions have long included periods of silence after confession or after the reading of the Word. Some denominations, such as the Quakers, place silence itself at the center of worship. Designating silent prayer as a distinct opening element of worship, however, is a practice particularly characteristic of Korean churches. Some argue that this practice was influenced by the silent prayer (Japanese *mokutō*) imposed as part of compulsory national ceremonies during the Japanese colonial period. Others hold that it was a church custom predating that era, so opinions on its origin remain divided.
=
= ## Practice in Korean Churches
=
- In traditional Sunday worship bulletins, "Silent Prayer (All)" was often listed as the first element of the service. Typically, the congregation bows in quiet prayer while instrumental music is played, and the worship leader then reads a Scripture passage such as Habakkuk 2:20. The service proper begins with a doxology or hymn.
+ In traditional Sunday worship bulletins of Korean churches, "Silent Prayer (All)" was often listed as the first element of the service. Typically, the congregation bows in quiet prayer while instrumental music is played, and the worship leader then reads a Scripture passage such as Habakkuk 2:20. The service then begins with a doxology or hymn.
=
= The treatment of this element varies by church and denomination:
=
- - In the service books and congregations of various denominations, including Presbyterian and Methodist churches, services reportedly open more and more often with a "call to worship" (an invitation to worship) instead of *mukdo*. The intent is to understand the beginning of worship as God's act of calling the congregation rather than as individual prayer. The controversy over the practice's possible colonial-era origin, mentioned above, is also cited as a factor behind this change.
- - Churches that retain *mukdo* emphasize that it helps worshipers compose their hearts and prepare to stand before God.
- - Churches that follow a prayer-book liturgy, such as the Anglican Church of Korea, do not include a separate element called *mukdo*. Instead, they observe periods of silence at designated points within the rite.
+ - In the service books and congregations of various denominations, including Presbyterian and Methodist churches, services reportedly open increasingly with a call to worship instead of silent prayer. The intent is to understand the beginning of worship as God's act of calling the congregation rather than as individual prayer. The controversy over the practice's possible colonial-era origin, mentioned above, is also cited as a factor behind this change.
+ - Churches that retain silent prayer emphasize that it helps worshipers compose their hearts and prepare to stand before God.
+ - Churches that follow a prayer-book liturgy, such as the Anglican Church of Korea, do not include a separate element of silent prayer. Instead, they observe periods of silence at designated points within the rite.
= - Many churches also open worship directly with praise songs, without any such element.
=
- Apart from the order of worship, the practice of bowing one's head in prayer after entering the sanctuary and taking a seat is also commonly called *mukdo*. The same term is used for personal prayer offered during the postlude after the benediction. Both customs are widely observed across denominations.
+ Apart from the order of worship, bowing one's head in prayer after entering the sanctuary and taking a seat is also commonly called *mukdo*. The same term is used for personal prayer offered during the postlude after the benediction. Both customs are widely observed across denominations.
Mukdo (默禱) is prayer offered silently in the heart rather than aloud. In Korean churches the term is widely used for an element of worship in which the congregation prays quietly together at the beginning of the service.
Silent prayer is prayer offered inwardly in the heart rather than aloud. In Korean Protestant churches, the term *mukdo* is also widely used for an element of worship in which the congregation prays quietly together at the beginning of the service.
Full revision
Silent prayer is prayer offered inwardly in the heart rather than aloud. In Korean Protestant churches, the term *mukdo* is also widely used for an element of worship in which the congregation prays quietly together at the beginning of the service.
Definition and Meaning
Silent prayer is prayer offered inwardly in the heart without speaking aloud. It stands in contrast to audible corporate prayer, in which many people cry out together in prayer at the same time. It also differs from a moment of silence observed by bowing the head in remembrance of the dead: such a moment centers on commemoration, whereas silent prayer is directed to God.
In Korean Protestant churches, the term mukdo (silent prayer) has two senses. The first is any silent prayer offered by an individual. The second is the name of an element of worship at the opening of a worship service, in which the congregation prays quietly together.
Biblical and Historical Background
Passages that depict standing before God in silence are commonly cited as the basis for silent prayer:
- Habakkuk 2:20: "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."
- Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."
- 1 Samuel 1:13, where Hannah prays in her heart, with only her lips moving
- Matthew 6:6, the teaching to enter into one's closet and pray in secret
Christian worship traditions have long included periods of silence after confession or after the reading of the Word. Some denominations, such as the Quakers, place silence itself at the center of worship. Designating silent prayer as a distinct opening element of worship, however, is a practice particularly characteristic of Korean churches. Some argue that this practice was influenced by the silent prayer (Japanese mokutō) imposed as part of compulsory national ceremonies during the Japanese colonial period. Others hold that it was a church custom predating that era, so opinions on its origin remain divided.
Practice in Korean Churches
In traditional Sunday worship bulletins of Korean churches, "Silent Prayer (All)" was often listed as the first element of the service. Typically, the congregation bows in quiet prayer while instrumental music is played, and the worship leader then reads a Scripture passage such as Habakkuk 2:20. The service then begins with a doxology or hymn.
The treatment of this element varies by church and denomination:
- In the service books and congregations of various denominations, including Presbyterian and Methodist churches, services reportedly open increasingly with a call to worship instead of silent prayer. The intent is to understand the beginning of worship as God's act of calling the congregation rather than as individual prayer. The controversy over the practice's possible colonial-era origin, mentioned above, is also cited as a factor behind this change.
- Churches that retain silent prayer emphasize that it helps worshipers compose their hearts and prepare to stand before God.
- Churches that follow a prayer-book liturgy, such as the Anglican Church of Korea, do not include a separate element of silent prayer. Instead, they observe periods of silence at designated points within the rite.
- Many churches also open worship directly with praise songs, without any such element.
Apart from the order of worship, bowing one's head in prayer after entering the sanctuary and taking a seat is also commonly called mukdo. The same term is used for personal prayer offered during the postlude after the benediction. Both customs are widely observed across denominations.