Silence and solitude are probably the most important disciplines of the Christian life. And today’s society (under Satan’s influence) makes sure that we get as little solitude and silence as possible. Strangely with all the noise and high-tech communication today there is probably more loneliness around than ever before. Until I can handle solitude and silence creatively, I will always be afraid of being alone. Silence is the best teacher: sit at its feet. Don’t be afraid of it, it can become a great friend.

How to use silent time

1. Take time to slow down. It can take hours for our minds to stop running. Walk slowly, eat slowly. Sleep if you need to.

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2. Keep a note-book near you all the time. Write freely.
 

3. Don’t try to be super-spiritual. Do have good times of meditation on Scripture, but also just be relaxed. Walk, enjoy listening to things. At least half of your silent time should be spent in “neutral” – just being, just enjoying.
 

4. God speaks in at least three ways: in Scripture, in nature and in the ‘meditation of our hearts’ (see Psalm 19.) Give time to each.
 

4.1 Scripture. Stay with the passages of Scripture allocated. Sometimes we give up too quickly. Wait until some phrase or concept really begins to connect with you. It may be God only wants you to connect with one verse today. God is into quality and depth, not quantity. Sometimes it is helpful to close your eyes and imagine yourself to be one of the characters in a story. If nothing is connecting, choose a few verses, learn them by heart and repeat them a number of times.
 

4.2 Nature. Psalm 19 says, “Day after day pours forth speech.” So listen to hear what they are saying. Take time to look at something for longer than you normally do. Look until you see something. Is there something you can bring back to show the group?
 

4. 3 The meditations of our heart. Don’t avoid issues. Silence brings things to the surface we have been trying to avoid - fears, worries, anger, grief, memories, jealousy, sadness, failure. These must be faced and made friends of. Also notice where your mind ‘wanders’ to – it may be important. Don’t censor your thoughts too quickly - we can’t always discern ‘wheat’ from ‘tares’ (Mt13:24-30).
 

5. Don’t do any work. If you think of something you need to do when you get back, write it down so you won’t forget it, then get back to retreat.
 

6. Pray. Remember prayer is a conversation – sometimes we speak, sometimes God speaks. So as long as you’re listening, you’re praying. Your spoken prayer need not be lengthy. Write it. Speak it out loud if you wish. Ask boldly.
 

7. Towards the end of your time, see if you can find something to symbolise what the time has meant to you. It may be a flower, or something else you found meaningful in nature. It could be a prayer, or a poem, or something God is working with in you. Perhaps finish this sentence: “By the end of this time, it has become clear to me that. . .”