Moving toward God through intentional practice

The practices we keep in life shape and form us along the way. Being intentional about those practices allows us to hold agency over who we’re becoming. Without intentionality, we simply drift in whatever direction the winds of our world want to take us. We’re choosing to engage in spiritual practices that enable us to be and become the men, women and children God designed us to be. 

Spiritual practices are:

“Habits, practices, and experiences that are designed to develop, grow, and strengthen certain qualities of spirit - to build the “muscles” of one’s character and expand the breadth of one’s inner life. They structure the “workouts” which train the soul.” 

~ Richard Foster

Every other month, we’ll focus on one spiritual practice intended to shape and form us in God’s image …

Silence & Solitude

November/December 2025

Prayer is an act of communion and communication with God. Silence and solitude together, creates space for this sacred act. Of all the sermons, the miracles and events of Jesus’ public life, perhaps the most unheralded yet most profound, was regular retreat into silence and solitude with his Father. 

As a fundamental practice of Christian traditions through the ages, silence and solitude has brought many weary souls through hard seasons into deep connectedness with God. Some of our best experiences of listening-prayer, including some of our biggest internal breakthroughs, happens in the stillness of silence and solitude. Join us these two months in the intentional practice of silence and solitude with God.

Practice silence and solitude (S&S)

  1. Time. Intentionally carve out time for this practice. 

  2. Space. Find a physical space of quiet and solitude. If you live in a busy household, use your ear buds and put some calming music (without words) on.

  3. Settle in. Try deep breathing to settle your mind and body. As you breathe, invite God to be present and guide your time.

  4. Attention. The first several times of S&S, you may find your mind wandering. That’s okay. When this occurs, write out a list of the things that are competing for your attention. Fold up the paper, write the words, “I trust you,” and place it in front of you as a physical reminder of your desire to trust God with your responsibilities.

  5. Early prayers. As you’re getting started with S&S, take the stray thoughts that pop up one by one, and simply hold them before God, inviting him to speak into or hold on to that thought for you. When you’re ready, move on to the next.

  6. Prayer. Once you’ve gotten to the point in practicing S&S that your mind no longer wanders as much (it may take several attempts), use the time for whatever purpose seems most valuable to you… discerning a decision, simply listening to whatever God wants to say, practicing gratitude, holding a friend or situation in prayer, reflecting on the attributes of God… etc.

  7. Close. End your time by thanking God and asking for his guidance through the remainder of your day.

Tell your story - don’t forget to tell others about how it’s going.