A Prayer to Value Solitude - Your Daily Prayer - June 3
A Prayer to Value Solitude
Written and read by Lia Girard
Bible Reading:
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. — Luke 5:16
Listen or Read Below:
Loneliness is a complicated concept in today's increasingly connected world, where many still feel a gnawing or vague sense of disconnection. Even though most of us have virtual access to the world in the palm of our hand, people can still feel lonely in a crowd where no one is physically or audibly interacting. I’ve noticed many times that I’m surrounded by people who are all silently staring into their devices.
You could call this kind of place “lonely” because the word “lonely” to us often means feeling alone, in places or at times when you'd rather not. However, the word “lonely” used in today’s scripture, Luke 5:16, is erēmos in the original Greek translation. Erēmos more accurately means an unpopulated, quiet place or wilderness. This kind of lonely place that Jesus often sought was essentially a purposeful retreat away from others, where he connected with God.
The whole chapter of Luke 5 is rich with examples of Jesus interacting with crowds and individuals, performing miracles, and socializing with sinners. He provides instruction, creates bounty where there was none, heals afflictions, and admonishes Pharisees—casting light on their self-righteous indignation. Jesus essentially pours himself out and offers his compassionate presence everywhere he goes. And he’s frequently sought and surrounded. He’s living busy, demanding days full of sacrificial love. You might know what this feels like yourself.
You see, even though Jesus is divine and all-powerful, he came in the flesh to teach us how to live. Which is why his body, soul, heart, and mind needed the sanctuary of quiet places to hear from the Father. It’s why we see Jesus distancing himself from his disciples in Matthew 26:39 while in the Garden of Gethsemane to tearfully pray, as we read in Luke 22:42, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus demonstrated that, to reorient himself to God’s will, he stepped away from others many times to connect directly to God.
Jesus takes solitude seriously. He spent 40 days alone in the wilderness in prayerful submission to God’s redemption plan. In Matthew 14:23, he dismissed the crowd of 5,000 after feeding them— so he could retreat to a mountainside by himself. Over and over, Jesus is showing us that withdrawing to be with God is desirable and beneficial. He also instructs that it can help us humble ourselves before God.
In the New Living Translation of Matthew 5, Jesus says, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.”
This doesn’t mean that any time you pray in public or with others, it’s hypocritical. Rather, I believe Jesus is encouraging us to make time in a chaotic world, where we’re often doing for others, to go somewhere alone and pray. That in solitude we can experience an authentic outpouring of our hearts, without risking simply performing for others. God’s great power can indeed be experienced in huge crowds, in small groups, and in a gathering of two. But by deliberately choosing to quietly withdraw, Jesus also shows us how to honor solitude. Perhaps because he desires this for you, so you can hear your own heart—and the voice of God that’s meant singularly for you.
Let’s Pray:
Dear God, I’m not always comfortable with why I want to be alone or why I don’t. I tend to judge myself on how well I interact with others, more often than I allow myself to interact with you in a quiet place of solitude. I don’t understand why the world seems so loud, and my life feels so full and demanding that I can't prioritize time alone. Please help me to reprioritize sitting in silence with you.
Help me not to feel anxious when I'm alone, as though I need to replace quiet with productivity or errands to distract my focus from you. Help me reestablish the practice of withdrawing alone to refill myself with your guidance and presence. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, who shows us that solitude is a necessity, not just a luxury. Help me to understand that being alone is not lonely at all.
In Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Discuss today’s devotional with others in the Your Daily Prayer thread on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Akarawut Lohacharoenvanich
Related Resource: What to Do When God Seems Distant
What do we do when God no longer feels as close as He used to feel?
Many sincere believers experience seasons when prayer feels empty, Scripture feels quiet, and God seems strangely absent. For leaders especially, those seasons can feel confusing, discouraging, and even shameful.
In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with theologian and spiritual formation professor Kyle Strobel to discuss the new book When God Seems Distant, coauthored with John Coe. If this episode helps you recenter your work and life on God, be sure to follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
