Daily Practices – Week 3 – Day 2
THEME: Jesus is calling me to slow down.
GRACE: Lord, let me hear Your voice as I make space to listen.
Settling in:
- In a journal, note the day, time, and place you’re sitting.
- Open with a few moments of silence. Rest, and breathe deeply.
- Complete the following sentence in your journal: Today, I feel ________________.
- Read these words slowly (aloud or silently):
You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. (1 Peter 1:17, MSG)
- Pause for a few moments of silence.
Practice:
- Choose one of the following practices.
Option 1: Solitude – “Little Solitudes” [5-30 minutes]
One of the first steps to practicing Solitude is provided in Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. There he describes our need to take advantage of the “little solitudes” throughout our day.
“Consider the solitude of those early morning moments in bed before the family awakens. Think of the solitude of a morning cup of coffee before beginning the work of the day. There is the solitude of bumper-to-bumper traffic … These tiny snatches of time are often lost to us. What a pity! They can and should be redeemed. They are times for inner quiet, for reorienting our lives like a compass needle.”
Open your journal and prayerfully answer the following questions:
- What are some “little solitudes” that you are currently passing by in daily life?
- What do you typically fill those moments with, instead of enjoying silence and rest?
- Why do you tend to avoid solitude? What do you fear will happen or result from resting in the stillness?
As you go through your day, make note of the “little solitudes” that are available to you, and ask for God’s help to notice and enjoy the simple silence that He offers.
Option 2: Solitude – Quiet Place [30-60 minutes]
One way to more regularly experience solitude in our lives is to intentionally create a “quiet place” designed for such moments. This could be a corner or room inside your home, a favorite chair or window, or a park bench or nature trail.
Do you currently have a favorite “quiet place,” where you can be alone and silent for an extended time? If not, take some time to plan where that place might be. What could you bring to that space that would help you rest in silence? An image, a candle, a cross, a cup of your favorite coffee, a pillow for kneeling, etc.
Take a moment and write or draw in your journal what your “quiet place” might look like. If you can prepare that space now, take the time to do so. Otherwise, make plans to prepare that space later this week so you can utilize it in the days ahead.
Then if you still have time remaining, read the practice above about “Little Solitudes” and answer the questions in your journal.
- Summary: Write a brief summary (five sentences or less) of what you discovered during your exploration of solitude.
- Closing Prayer: Lord, let me hear Your voice as I make space to listen.
Questions? Please email us at info@parishanglican.org
