Silence & Solitude
“To practice quietness with God means to wait until the Spirit moves our hearts to open the door to our inner self and welcome Christ into our living room.”
- Jack Miller, The Heart of a Servant Leader
How to Practice
Find a place where you can be alone (if necessary, communicate with your family you need to be alone, or use your office at work before everyone gets there)
Set a timer (15-30 minutes)
Bring a cup of coffee, tea or just water
Turn off your phone, tv, any and all noisemakers
Start by calming down your body and mind
Pay attention to where your mind is wandering to:
What thoughts are emerging?
What is trying to pull you away from your seat?
What are you worried about?
Rather than thinking much about these things and, perhaps try to solve your problems in the moment, allow them to pass before you and offer them to God.
“Lord, I’m really anxious about work today.”
“Father, I feel very unsettled.”
Let these thoughts pass, and return to listening and noticing as though cross your mind. Ask yourself “what might God be saying to me, here and now? How might He reply to my anxious, busy thoughts?”
Be aware of what’s happening inside of you and be attentive to God’s presence. By gaining some self-awareness, we know better how to pray, what to journal about, or how to engage with whatever else we might read.