Solitude Practice Week 3
Encounter With Our Enemy
Jesus went out into the desert to fight, not to flee; to engage, not to escape; to win victory, not to give up. In the desert, not only do we encounter our self and all our feelings, we also encounter a battle with our enemies — the world, the flesh, and the devil. All three test and tempt our faith in the quiet. Usually this comes, as it did for Jesus, in the form of thoughts that assault our minds — lies, deception, and temptation.
But if we are willing to fight the resistance of the three enemies and go into solitude, it may be hard at first, but long term, it yields dividends of freedom.
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice over the next four weeks, as well as resources for further exploration.
Ways to engage with the Solitude Practice
First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together.
Download the Solitude Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices (Especially with this practice).
Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.
Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith.
Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.
Recommended Reading
Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton (Chapters 7-9)
Rule of Life Podcast
Solitude Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 3 Practice - In your solitude time, practice Lectio Divina
The goal of being alone with God in the silence is, ultimately, to hear God’s voice over all the other voices in our head — especially from the three enemies of our soul. And the ultimate litmus test of the truth of God over the lies of the three enemies is found in Scripture. Which is why, in solitude, when Jesus was confronted with lies from the enemy, he calmly quoted Scripture to anchor himself in God’s truth.
The Lectio Divina has four simple movements:
Read a passage from Scripture very slowly and prayerfully, and pay special attention to any words, phrases, or thoughts that seem to stand out to you or touch you emotionally in any way. Look for what “shimmers.” You can pick any passage of Scripture, but we recommend you start with a psalm or a selection from the Gospels or a New Testament letter.
Reflect. Re-read the passage again, this time lingering over the words or phrases that feel highlighted to you, just turning them over slowly in your mind, thinking about what God may be saying to you.
Respond by praying those impressions back to God. Then to end,
Rest in God’s loving word to you. Let your whole body slow down and sink into God’s presence and peace.
Week 3 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group for Week 4, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
How did your practice of solitude go this week?
Where did you experience resistance in solitude?
In what ways did you encounter God in solitude?
