Why practice solitude?
Smartphones, alerts, Wi-Fi, email, social media, streaming services, earbuds, and the endless queue of entertainment — the noise of the digital age is with us 24/7. This poses a major problem for those of us who apprentice under Jesus. As Mother Teresa once said, “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence.”
The practice of solitude is intentional time in the quiet with ourselves and God. If you want a deeper relationship with God, you must follow Jesus into solitude. As Henri Nouwen put it, “Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life.” All close friendships require dedicated time alone together.
How to engage in this practice
Engage with the teachings in this practice series by attending Midtown on Sunday mornings, staying tuned in to the podcast, and following along in our Solitude Practice Guide. As you learn and practice fasting, discuss your experience with your Midtown Community and your Huddle.
PRACTICE
Download Our Solitude GuideRECOMMENDED READING
To dive even deeper into the practice of solitude, we recommend the following resources:
