Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

Good News

As you are building this new habit of spending time with God, remember to start small and keep it simple. If ten minutes is too much, start with two. We all have different levels of experience of prayer and reading the Bible. Don’t compare yourself to other people, just focus on making time for Jesus. That’s what this is all about.

Let’s jump in.

Pray…

Lord God, you are good and faithful and true. You’ve changed history and you’ve changed me. Remind me of who you are and what you’ve done. Help me to see all the little things you’re doing throughout my day in my life and the lives of others. Help me to show others your goodness. In Jesus name, amen.

Read…

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” - Luke 4:18-19 NIV

Consider…

Jesus announced His ministry with this passage from the scroll of Isaiah. He wanted people to know why He came and what He was about. Proclaiming good news. Good news for the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, to rescue the oppressed, and announce the year of the Lord’s favor.

How has Jesus been good news in your life? In what ways have you experienced His power?

What would it look like for you to share that good news with others? Who is someone you can pray for right now?

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. Sit quietly and listen for whatever He has to say. This usually doesn’t look like an audible voice. Sometimes it’s a thought, a feeling, or an idea that seems to originate from outside of yourself. Sometimes, you won’t hear or notice anything. That’s okay. When you’re really comfortable with someone, you can just sit and be with them without having to say anything.

When you get distracted, imagine Jesus sitting next to you. That’s it. Nothing crazy. Simply you and Jesus sitting down and being with each other.

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.