Beginning Silence & Solitude

Use the following steps to begin practicing stillness daily.

When: Find 2 minutes any time during the day – first thing in the morning when you wake up as you lay in bed; before going to sleep sit in bed before turning out the lights; during lunch break go for a walk or turn your chair away from your desk; while soaking in the tub, etc. There is no right or wrong place. Simply start where you are.

How: Begin by sitting in a comfortable position; hands on your lap with palms up in a posture of invitation to God’s presence; breathe slowly and deeply with a breath prayer. Calm your mind as you breathe in, pray “Come, Lord Jesus” and as you breathe out, “still my mind.” Practice this for two minutes or more.

What: As you practice stillness, what do you notice? Does it seem easier to still your mind each time? Are you able to be still longer than two minutes? What do you notice about yourself? About God? Keep going.

Quote: “Silence and solitude is the most need needed but the least experienced spiritual discipline practiced today…Silence & Solitude is where we encounter God…Scripture is very clear that there is a way of knowing God in the stillness that is different from knowing God in the busyness of our lives.”

– Ruth Haley Barton

Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Prayer: Gracious Lord, as I begin this journey of silence and solitude with you, would you meet me where I am? Please be patient with me as I stumble through my feeble attempts to calm the noise within and around me so I can meet with you. Fill my heart with excitement and joy even with the smallest progress. Amen.