Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

Making Space to Experience the Presence of God

If you’re reading this, then, more than likely, you have a desire to grow closer to God and become more like Jesus. Over the next 35 days, we are going to learn how to make space to experience the presence of God through the ancient Christian practice known as silence and solitude.

When we create space for God in our lives, He will fill it. This is a truth modeled by Jesus and practiced by devoted Christians throughout the ages. And it’s a practice that we want to help you make a part of your everyday routine.

What does this look like? It looks like carving out intentional time in your day to be alone with God in the quiet. This plan will help you make the most of that time you create by giving you a prayer to pray, a passage of Scripture to read, some questions to consider, and instructions on how to sit and listen for the voice of God.

Let’s jump in.

Pray…

Heavenly Father,I want to grow closer to you. I want to be in your presence. I want to become more like Jesus. Help me to slow down enough to make space for you. Open my eyes to what you want to show me, my ears to want you to want to say to me, and my heart to what you want to do in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Read…

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord , the Lord , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” - Exodus 34:6-7 NIV

Consider…

This is how God described Himself to Moses after rescuing the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Compassionate. Gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in love and faithfulness. Maintaining love to thousands. Forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

When you think of God, which of those qualities is easiest for you to see? Which qualities are the most challenging?

Think about the difference between the numbers given for the love God maintains and the generations He punishes. He maintains love for thousands and punishes to the third and fourth generation. Notice how it isn’t an even 50/50? It’s 1000 to 4… How does that inform the way you think about God?

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you won’t be distracted. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch.

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

Ask God to speak to you, and sit quietly listening to hear what He has to say.

When you get distracted (because you will get distracted), come back to that passage of Scripture and think about the different qualities of God. Imagine the ways He has demonstrated those qualities in your life.

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and head into the rest of your day with a clearer sense of His presence. When you come back tomorrow, we’ll have another prayer, passage of Scripture, and questions for you to consider as you continue to practice silence and solitude.