Solitude
Solitude
During Lent 2025 we looked at the practice of Solitude, as part of our teaching series, Practicing the Way, where we learn habits to help us become more like Jesus, and develop a Rule of Life.
Distraction is one of the greatest threats to spiritual health in the modern world.
We all feel it — we’re bombarded by noise like never before.
Jesus has an invitation for us: Step away from it all (for some moments) to be alone with him, for the sake of our souls and the sake of others.
Jesus, scripture tells us, withdrew to the quiet places to pray. (Luke 5:16) If Discipleship involves following Jesus, doing the things that He did, what might this Solitude practice look like for us?
What can we expect?
We will be exploring the theme of Solitude and following individual sermon titles each Sunday
- Introducing Solitude
- The Quiet Place
- Encounter with self
- Encounter with enemy
- Encounter with God
There will be a series of resources, including weekly exercises and readings, and additional resources to help us create life-changing daily rhythms.
This Practice is also perfect to use with Lifegroups with detailed videos and resources available.
1. Introducing Solitude
Watch Tom’s talk here
Tom recommends we read 1 Kings 19:18-20 again and adds:
–He rests
What might rest look like for you before you enter solitude?
–He’s real
‘What are you doing here Elijah/[insert your name]?
Like Elijah can you answer this question honestly before God? You may want to write some things down.
–God renews
Elijah’s purpose and calling is reaffirmed at the end, but it takes time and a lots of waiting (40 days!).
Take time in the quiet and stillness to simply wait on God, with no agenda. You may hear his still small voice, you may not. At this stage just practise ‘waiting’ in the quiet for a five minutes or so, and enjoy His presence.
Lent Reading
This year’s recommended Lent reading is “An Invitation to Solitude and Silence – Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence” by Ruth Haley Barton (ISBN-13: 9780281085781, 9780281085989)
Ruth also has a podcast on leadership, and in Season 5 she focused on this book. The first episode of that series can be found on Spotify here or on Apple podcasts here
Additional Reading on the Solitude Practice
The Practice of Silence – a pdf sheet from the Diocese of Bristol
Silence – Gateway to God, a Grove Booklet by David Runcorn
Going on Retreat – How to make the most of Time Out with God – A Grove Booklet – Liz Hoare
Into the Silent Land – The practice of contemplation by Martin Laird
Grove booklets related to the topic:
Solitude and Community – Open to God: Open to others By Helen Marshal
Seeking Spiritual Direction – How to find support for your spiritual life, By Nick Help and Liz Hoare
Rivers in the desert – finding spiritual renewal in barren times – Nigel Scotland
If you haven’t read it it, we also recommend last year’s Lent reading “Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Live as he did: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did” by John Mark Comer This book complements not only our Lent sermon series on Solitude but other spiritual practices that we are looking at as part of the Rule of Life
Presence – Contemplative Prayer Group
This group meets every Tuesday in the Church building at 12.30pm.
All are welcome as we explore the practice of silence and enjoy God’s presence together. Each session starts and ends with a reading and prayer.
