“As often as possible Jesus withdrew to the out-of-way places for prayer”
~ Luke 5:16 (The Message)
For the past year, I have been taking one full day away from it all every 1-2 months… days with Jesus, filled with solitude, study, and prayer. Honestly, it has completely revolutionized the way I see the world around me and has helped me survive the demands of ministry and life. This reality may seem impossible for you to embrace because of the demands of family, work, school, etc. but take one more look at Luke 5:16 (above). Of all people, Jesus had demands. People who needed him. Truth that needed to be shared. But He recognized something most of us don't: Solitude transforms us.
Check out this quote from Dallas Willard:
"Solitude is a process of inner transformation, a conversation initiated by God and leading, if we consent, to divine union. One’s way of seeing reality changes in the process. A restructuring of consciousness takes place which empowers one to perceive, relate and respond with increasing sensitivity to the divine presence in, through, and beyond everything that exists."
So here’s what I do if you are interested (adapted from what an old friend passed on to me!):
Before you go think through the following questions:
1) What do you need to experience with Christ during this day away?
2) Where have you been in the Word in the past couple of months and weeks, and where has God been speaking to you?
3) What are you “wrestling” with in this season of your life (specific circumstance, sin, relationship, etc.)?
During the drive to wherever you’re going:
Pray that the Lord would give you direction (Scriptures, a book to read, format for the day, etc.)… remember this is a “dynamic, fluid” day with Christ… not a rigid, hyper-formatted day.
When you get there:
1) Get the environment the way you need it… coffee, temperature, noise reduction (if there’s a clock that ticks really loud, it’s annoying, so remove the battery or move it to another room), and find the best place to really meet with the Lord… where you can stretch out in prayer, with books, etc.
2) Here’s a tentative time schedule that I use (once again, not too rigid)
7:30 Arrive and get situated
8:00 Prayer
I ask God to clear the noise in my head and heart, and in my life. It actually takes me about 20-30 minutes for this noise to clear… so be patient (this fruit of prayer does not yield itself to the lazy). I ask the Lord to meet with me… to give me a “vision” (not hyper-charismatic, but a picture or image of what He wants me to experience today… one time it was an open meadow in the mountains that represented His freedom… one time it was a picture of my father who truly represented faithfully the love of the Heavenly Father). I also ask the Father to let me know where He wants to take me today… Scripture… prayer… reading, etc.)
8:45 The Word.
I listen to Jesus or sometimes pick a Scripture to reflectively study and meditate upon. Typically the Lord has led me to something and I spend the next 2-3 hours studying it, reflectively meditating upon it, journaling through it, praying through it. The point is to find an expression of this time with the Lord. Perhaps for you, write a chapter of a book, draw a landscape, write a song, write a poem, write a movie scene… whatever you need to do to integrate this is in with your passions and calling in life.
11:30 Prayer.
I spend some more time on my knees with the Lord asking Him to “cement” this into my heart and life.
12:00 Lunch and a drive to process more
1:00 This is the fluid part of the day.
Sometimes the Lord simply wants me to pray more… especially intercessory prayer. Sometimes I’ve prayed for the concentric rings outward from my life (Family, Ministry, Staff and Elders, specific people in the congregation). Sometimes I read a book. Sometimes I strategically plan ministry stuff. Sometimes I take a nap. Sometimes I go for a run or go on a hike. Whatever happens, I always feel that it’s very effective because I’m really connecting with Christ at this point… very actively and experientially… as if He’s right there with me (which He is through the Spirit).
I also typically leave with an “action plan” on things the Lord has impressed upon my heart that day… where to take it when I return to “reality” with family, ministry, life, etc.
I review these days away (and action plans) frequently to see how I’m doing with the things the Lord laid upon my heart during my time with Him that day.
4:00 Prayer for God to continue to integrate this more deeply into my life.
4:30 Pack up and drive back to home
Remember, this is not a formula… it’s a dynamic relationship. Hang out with Jesus! Remember to journal and write these things down… when you begin to get 2, 3, or even 4 days away over a year or two, it’s really cool to go back and see how Jesus is transforming you into who He desires you to be.
