The Way
Rooted in Solitude
~ Kirk Cowman
May 7, 2023
Do you have a pattern that you always follow?
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. —John 10:10 NLT
Everything Jesus did was rooted in solitude with God.
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. —Luke 4:1-2 NLT
Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’” —Luke 4:3-4 NLT
Solitude with God redefines your attachments.
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, —Luke 4:1 NLT
Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. —Luke 4:14 NLT
Solitude with God redefines your attachments and deals with your insecurities.
Solitude with God redefines your attachments, deals with your insecurities and gives you direction.
Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. —Luke 4:42-44 NLT
Start out by spending 10 minutes in solitude and asking Jesus, “What do you want to say to me today?”
OR
Increase your practice of solitude by engaging in a prayer of examen.
The Prayer of Examen:
https://files.snappages.site/Z5HXQC/assets/files/Prayer_of_Examen.pdf
Apprenticeship Prayer Partner Questions:
- What Has been your experience with silence and solitude as a way to connect you with God?
- What keeps you from engaging in silence and solitude?
- What helps you engage in silence and solitude?