Solitude

Noise

Noise is all around us and increasing as time passes. It is distracting, affects our mental health, and makes it hard to hear God. What about you?

• What kind of noise do you have in your life?
• Do you ever surround yourself with noise intentionally? Why?
• Does all the noise in your life make it harder to hear God?
• When was a time that you heard God clearly?
• Does silence make you uncomfortable? If so, why?
• What could you do to eliminate some of the noise in your life that keeps you from hearing God?

Silence & Solitude

How to:

1. Identify a sacred space.
1. Quiet
2. Comfortable
2. Begin with a modest goal.
3. Settle into a comfortable yet alert position in your body.
4. Ask God to give you a simple prayer that expresses your openness and desire for God.
5. Close your time in silence with a prayer of gratitude of God’s presence with you.
6. Resist the urge to judge yourself or your experiences in silence.

¹ Ruth Barton, “Beyond Words: An Invitation To Silence And Solitude,” Conversations: A Forum For Authentic Transformation, vol. 5:2 (2007): 11.