Silence & Solitude
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10a
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35
But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:16
Experiencing silence and solitude as a spiritual discipline is the practice of withdrawing from noise, distractions, and others to be alone with God in prayer and Bible study. This practice helps believers tune into God’s voice and align our hearts and minds with His will. Jesus often retreated alone to pray and commune with His Father. Like Jesus, when we practice silence and solitude, we take on a posture of humility and dependence on God. There is immense value in stillness and quiet for a disciple of Jesus as we seek opportunities to listen to the voice of God.
Practical Suggestions
Carve out moments of intentional silence and solitude in your day. This could be a walk or a time set aside for silence; no media or background noise.
Incorporate moments of silence into your weekly Sabbath.
Create moments for silence and solitude that we normally fill with noise. Ex: car rides, chores around the house, the beginning and end of our day.
Go on a Silence and Solitude retreat.
Refer to Prayer and Bible Study disciplines for ideas on how to spend your time when practicing silence and solitude.
Resources
Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - book, John Mark Comer
Way of the Heart - book, Henri Nouwen
Invitation to Solitude and Silence - book, Ruth Haley Barton
Why We Need Silence - article, Sarah J. Hauser