SOLITUDE
SOLITUDE is a time when we withdraw from the
company of others in order to give God our UNDIVIDED
attention.
-
Shut out external stimulation
-
Allow ourselves to become QUIET.
Solitude is an
OPPORTUNITY, not
an obligation.
We need to
plan HOW we spend our time with God. For
example:
Silent
listening Scripture reflection
Prayer Journaling
A
slow meditative walk Worship music Singing
praises
A plan helps
us to stay FOCUSED.
Experiencing Solitude
1. Find
a quiet place that is free of distractions
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a
solitary place,
Where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)
Then, because so many people were coming and going
that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus]
said to [his disciples],
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get
some rest.”
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a
solitary place.
(Mark 6:31-32)
The location Jesus chose were PEACEFUL and
quiet.
We need to pay
attention WHERE we meet with God.
2. QUIET yourself in God’s presence.
Breathe deeply Slow down
3. Tell
God what you need.
Use a simple a simple
prayer:
“God, I just want to be with you.”
“God, I need your guidance.”
“Lord, I want to feel your love.”
Be clear about what you
would like to receive from God.
4. Use SCRIPTURE to listen to God.
Read it slowly and
deliberately.
Notice the word or phrases
that stand out and speak to your heart.
What thoughts or emotions do
you experience?
5. Be
fully present.
Remind yourself that you
just need to be yourself with God.
Give him your undivided
attention.
Anticipate distractions by:
-
Ignoring them
-
Writing them down on a piece of paper for later
-
Incorporating them right into your prayers
Wandering thoughts: aren’t always a barrier to prayer, maybe a guide for prayer.
Speak to him directly about
whatever you are thinking or feeling.
6. Respond
to what you hear God saying to you through Scripture or in prayer.
Speak to God about what you
have sensed and felt and heard. Respond verbally or by writing in a journal.
Start with: “God, what I hear you saying to me is...”
7. Express
gratitude and commitment.
Spend a few minutes thanking
God for his presence with you.
Express your commitment to
respond faithfully to whatever it is you have heard from him during this time.
“Give ear to my words, Oh
Lord,
Consider my meditation;
Hearken unto the voice of my
cry,
My King, and my God.
For unto Thee will I pray,
My voice shalt Thou hear in
the morning,
Oh Lord, in the morning
Will I direct my prayer unto
Thee and will look up.”
Psalm 5:1-3
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