Transformed by Solitude

Welcome to the RBCPC Spiritual App Blog. Seeking transformation through Solitude may be new to you. This is the place for asking your questions and for sharing your comments, concerns and experiences. First, here’s a review of the information that we shared in worship Sunday morning:

SPIRITUAL APP: SOLITUDE
The PRAY acronym helps remember the four steps to solitude:

PREPARE   Find a quiet place and a quiet time, get comfortable, settle in.

REST          Invite God to join you and to work within you.
                   Quietly repeat a Psalm prayer: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Or
                  “O Rest in theLord; wait patiently for God.”
                    Let all thoughts (mental activity) die away.
                    Let your breath become deep and regular.

ATTEND     Wait and watch for the Spirit to emerge into your awareness.

YIELD         Allow God to work within you.
                    Offer thanks for the time together.
                    Return to solitude soon.
                    Regular practice yields the best results.

Many people imagine solitude as a time of doing nothing. Is it a surprise to you that there is something to do? Actually, the first two steps are just for getting to a place of quiet. My life is so busy and complex. I seek solitude with the hope that letting God in will help make sense of all the other stuff—to get life simplified down to the “One Thing,” to refocus my purpose and get infused with God’s gracious presence. For me the challenge is to stay with the Prayer of Quiet long enough to let all the mental and emotional activity calm down. Sometimes that step takes a great deal of patience. Once that happens, my awareness will naturally expand and deepen, because I have opened myself God’s active presence. Engaging in the activity of Solitude really is an act of trusting that what God says, God means. What kind of experiences are you, or have you, had? Have you had any difficulties getting started? Have you had any challenges emerge from your trials? I would like to know. Please write anything you like here. Together we can help each other grow in deepening our practice. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Christopher Cook