Scripture Reading: Genesis 28:10-22, Genesis 32:24-32, Matthew 14:6-14, Matthew 14:22-23, Mark 1:35-39, John 16:32
The world buzzes with distractions and noise. We keep our phones on hand at all times, and it’s easy to get sucked into the social media vortex. The voices that vie for our attention scream all the louder when we try to slow down and regain our bearings. Is this how we’re supposed to spend our days, spun with worry and every inch of our minds and hearts full of noise, clutter, and hurry?
This isn’t how God created us to live, and He doesn’t want us broken down and depleted by our busyness.
Solitude is the spiritual practice of abstaining from the external inputs that crowd our souls, to intentionally take time to be alone with God. It’s setting aside space to prioritize communing with Him.
Jesus Himself took time amid the demands of daily life to sit with His Father, linger, and be replenished. Our key Scripture, Matthew 14:23, comes after Jesus’s miracle of feeding five thousand men, plus women and children. Ministry must have been exhausting as the constant hours, relentless requests, debates, teaching, and healing weighed on Him. Yet there He was, fully God and fully man, prioritizing time to get away and return to the relationship that mattered most.
One of the ways we as followers of Jesus can stay in step with the Spirit in our own lives is to cultivate a rhythm of solitude. What does this look like, practically?
Start by taking fifteen minutes somewhere in your day, whenever you can weave in time to yourself. Keep your phone in another room or in the house or car if you’re outside. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Pay attention to sounds that may naturally be around you, but don’t say anything. If your mind wanders, it’s okay. Acknowledge that and bring your mind back to the present. Invite God into this time. Sit with Him, aware of His presence with you. You may want to read a psalm or passage in the Bible. Read it a few times, slowly, and ask God if there is anything He wants you to linger on in the reading or what He wants you to know about Him. Thank Him for who He is and how He shows up for you. Before you get back to your day, look for another time to continue this practice tomorrow.
Setting aside time to be alone with God, coming to Him with an open heart and mind, is something He made us for. When we recognize how much our souls crave this slow, deep connection to our Creator, solitude becomes not just a practice but a necessity. Over time, it can become a welcome rhythm of our lives.
There is nothing sweeter than being in God’s presence, and solitude ushers our hearts closer to His.
Written by Sarah Freymuth
Leave a Reply
87 thoughts on "Solitude"
❤️
Amen
Yes, God is reminding me to spend quiet time with him, I have heard his voice telling me a few times now. Pick up my word Ruby, I hear you Lord.☺️
Happy Birthday, Tami
We went to church again yesterday. It was good.
Prayer request: I’m having trouble with my left eye, which has had many problems and surgeries in the past. Calling the ophthalmologist tomorrow. Praying it isn’t serious.
Yay..I love it! Prayers for your eye!
So great that you made it to church.❤️
I’m alone a lot, so finding solitude is not a problem. Using it wisely, however, is a challenge. I’m extremely fond of reading – to the point I say I’m addicted. Usually, I read Christian mysteries and romances. Often, I get entire sermons in the middle of the stories. I know I need to make time during my alone time for more quality time with God. I think I’m more apt to have quality time by writing. My mind isn’t so inclined to wander then.
Just spent reading comments from the weekend and praying for all your requests and praises.
❤️
I love to read too. The last year or two I have read more faith centered books! I too love getting scripture and “sermons” in them. I am loving “The Restoration Chronicles” I’m reading right now. I think she has the Kings series too! (recommended by CeeGee)
I crave this solitude with God every day. Most days I’m able to find it. But it can be hard sometimes because I have two young girls and days can be very busy with them. I noticed that I’m a better person when I’m able to be by myself. I love that Jesus set this example for us. I have to say that sometimes I feel bad that I need that alone time. Sometimes I feel like maybe there’s something wrong with me that I need to recharge , but then I’m reminded that God made me that way and it’s OK ;even Jesus had his alone time.
It can be such a challenge with littles underfoot to find the times of quiet. And, there is nothing wrong with you at all Jennifer that you crave it. Its how you are were created and wired and we are made to have fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Keep looking for those windows of time for solitude asking the Lord to refresh your spirit no matter the length of time❤️
Thought of the human “In the Garden” what I joy to be able to meet with God every day here on earth as we look forward to being face to face in Heaven and when all is made new.
1 I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]
3 I’d stay in the garden with Him
Tho’ the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro’ the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. [Refrain]
Nicole, I love that song. It was also one of my mother’s favorites and I sang it to her on the day she died. I sang the verses as a solo with the choir joining in the chorus at church the last time my dad attended before his death. And many times as a chaplain, patients would request I sing In the Garden to them. It speaks deeply to so many of us. Just the thought of spending special alone time with God. ❤️
I LOVE that song too, I had forgotten it! I need to add it to my “hymns” playlist! I I wish I could sing Teresa, what a gift!!
Love this Teresa! What a gift! ❤️
Beautiful hymn and one my Mom would often sing in church.
Thank you for that song, Nicole. It was one of my grandma’s favorites, and I can still imagine her singing it and picture her smile.
She used to talk about prayer a lot and how it was the easiest thing in the world. She’d say, “Well He loves you the most and He’s always there, so just say, ‘Hey, I need some help God!’ and talk to Him like a friend.”
Spending time with God is my priority. Solitude is an important part of my day It is intentional. I seek to hear from God, to get clarity, confirmation, maybe for Him to reveal something to me or to sit in His presence.
Happy Monday from sunny California on a cool Labor Day, before the heat hits us again later today. I was up much later than normal and not because I knew I would be off today, but because I spending time with a dear friend over “pie” YUM! This is the sweet friend that accompanies me to court. It’s SO nice just to get out for some girlfriend time to laugh, and cry, simply hanging out. LOVED this devo and I took my time (so nice) reading through the scriptures, answering the questions on the study guide before coming here. Quiet Time, is the most important time of my day! I have to have it. I need it. I crave it. Answering the first question on the study guide: Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to be alone with His Father. I notice it’s often after being around a lot of people. Perhaps He needed (because He was also fully human) “alone” time without the noise of the crowds, just HE and HIS Father. I feel HE set an example as to why we too need that “alone” time with our JESUS and without interruptions. Sweet friends..enjoy the rest of your day. See you tomorrow.
❤️
I love Genesis 28:16
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place (in us) and I (we)did not know it. My take away is when we are living in sin we are asleep and when we wake up we realize that God our Loving Father has been with us the whole time and we did not know it!
Thank you Jesus
Amen, Miss Theresa! I love that! ❤️
A musical reverie….
“In My solitude
May His Love
Haunt me…
Dear Lord above
With memories
That never die…”
…a glance at Duke Ellington & Billie Holiday
As my relationship with God grows I find the need for quiet time for/with him to increase. These are the best moments of my day.
I love this focus today and SARAH FREYMOUTH gave us an excellent devo!
.
I think women are naturally more intune with the need for solitude- or maybe just more dedicated to it- whether it’s just to smooth our ruffled edges after a tough day or to go deeper with God. I often find a place in nature as Sarah suggested. Thankfully, it’s all around us; I don’t even have to drive to a park! Another most special solitude practice: after all the hoopla preparing for Christmas Eve dinner and gift swapping with family, before I go to bed on Christmas Eve and after EVERYONE else is in bed, I have a long moment of solutude: just Jesus, me. and the lights on the tree. I tell Him Happy Birthday and just sit with Him letting worship flow. Being still with Him is like a mega vitamin. I don’t drink alchol, so I fix a glass of gingerale and add cherries to it to make it more celebratory. That is my favorite solitude practice.
.
NIV APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE NOTE on Matthew 14:13-14 says:
“A key to Jesus’ ministry was the way he listened to and then obeyed his Father’s will, which often took place through the discipline of solitude.”
.
If Jesus modeled solitude it would behoove me to practice it as well. He will surely meet me there.
.
SONG SHARE:
Surely the Presence of the Lord Is In This Place
.
I know I shared that not too long ago, but I can’t read that Genesis passage and not think of it! ☺
.
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
KELLY NEO- Job application results; little mama and son; your mom
SEARCHING- miss your daily takeaways! ❤
I love your Christmas Eve practice. Beautiful! And the song you shared! Where do you live? I’m picturing you in the mountains somewhere:)
Northwest corner of SC- not in the mountains, but foothills. So you were clkse! ☺ Our subdivision is quite rural and there are no houses on either side. Our son’s house is about 50 yards away and not visible when trees are leafed out. ❤
Happy Happy Birthday Tami!! We all pray you have a wonderful and blessed day!! And you are off today right?! Yay!
Thank you!! And yes I am off today! Holding onto summer as long as I can with a boat day:)
Boat day!!
Happy Birthday!!❤️
.
Thank you for posting the prodigal list each week❤️
Practicing the presence of God by Brother Lawerence is such a good example of pulling away from our busy lives to sit in His presence! I need to get this book back out and read it again.
Then I’m reminded of the song which I’ve mentioned before “In the presence of Jehovah,” by the Martin’s. Nothing better! We are just practicing for heaven!
Prayers for all! Those of you traveling praying for safe travels!
I need to refresh my hearing of that song! ❤
That is a great book!
“There is nothing sweeter than being in God’s presence…” Amen!
.
It seems that it gets harder to find that quiet time now that I have a new part-time job. I try to get the SRT reading done, and a time of prayer before I go but lately it seems so rushed and I hate that. I am going to aim to get up even earlier 5:00/5:30 so that I don’t have to rush through may time alone with God.
.
I praise Him, because He sees and knows our hearts and He is merciful and kind. But still – He is the God of all creation, it is because of His mercy that I have life and breathe today and He is the Most Holy God, this in itself should make it so easy to set the time aside for Him.
.
Song Share, an older hymn – Near To The Heart Of God…
There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God;
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before Thee,
near to the heart of God.
2 There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God;
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
3 There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God;
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
—
Happy Monday She’s, may you be blessed as you walk in His presence today. ❤️
Great song and haven’t sung it in years! ❤
Great song reminder ❤️
I love quiet and being alone. But looking at “solitude” as in time spent focusing on God in prayer and meditation, it’s a little harder to achieve. I like to always have praise and worship music playing non-stop. So the listening part is maybe challenged a little?!
When I moved to Florida I rode my bike in the mornings and stretched/worshipped at the dock. I loved the quiet and nature. It IS so replenishing. I miss that.
That Jesus had to spend intentional time with the Father, that is such an example for us. We have to have it, we need it. We must do it to have communion with the One who created us and to function as made in his image. Oh how far we have strayed. In a society that doesn’t even see him as even the creator, but as our Rescuer. Our Savior. Our very breath comes from him. I say it often, I wish we could go back to the 80’s before the times of t.v.’s and phones stealing our time. Sundays were made special, family was a priority, and play was good.
A good book to read about all this is called “The Anxious Generation.”
I am so easily distracted during my quiet time – it helps for me to keep a journal and write down what I’m praying for each day. I keep it on my phone as a note I go back to daily – I keep a separate one for each day of the week Monday – Friday. It helps me pray consistently for different people on different days- for example I always pray for missionaries on Fridays. I pray for different friends, my church, work situations, etc on different days.
Yes, wonderful idea! Someone taught me prayer journaling and I share that now with my groups because it indeed keeps us from being distracted, and I love that is there for me to see and go back to!
❤❤❤
How did church go yesterday?
I LOVED it! It was really cool that behind the stage was all glass and you could see the river and trees and blue skies! I will post a pic on our FB page!! My son and them didn’t you know, respond too much, and I couldn’t really get them to say much afterwards about it.
Ahhh yes, this….”There is nothing sweeter than being in God’s presence, and solitude ushers our hearts closer to His.” Loved everything todays writer shared with us.
I love the quiet of the early morning and time spent reading and connecting with Jesus. It is a sweet, treasured time. Sometimes it is a bit rushed, but most times not. Many years ago I began to make it a priority to wake earlier than my family to have the quiet before our day began. Although I am a morning person by nature, it was not easy to get that routine established but so worth it. In general, I do prefer quiet over noisy and busy and even throughout the day I will make a point of turning off or down “noise”. When I am outside or walking, most often its in the quiet – no music, no podcasts, just the sounds outside, the quiet noise of nature. I find it to be a beautiful way to see and feel the Lord’s presence. I do think I could be more disciplined in focused prayer without getting distracted or sidetracked. I feel that is always a challenge for me and a work in progress.
Heavenly Father, in the quiet of the day usher my heart closer to yours. Amen ❤️
I forgot to say, that I love the many examples we read in scripture of how Jesus took time away to be alone. If it was a priority and need for Him, then it
should be for us to❤️
Similar train of thought this morning. ❤
I am not, by nature, a morning person. That’s an understatement, and it’s been true my entire life. I envy you and others who have that special early morning time with God. I need to find that special time of day when I feel closest to God in solitude.
I went for a walk yesterday with NO technology! I usually like to listen to podcasts, but I didn’t yesterday. It was kinda nice! Will do it again next time!
Good morning! I appreciate the use of the word withdrew because this has a very positive connotation here. For example, some people look at the word withdrawing as not necessarily a good thing, but in this case, Jesus is withdrawing to pray and be closer to His Father. iIn the same way when we seek a solitary moment, we are looking for an opportunity to spend more time with our Savior ❤️
Yes, withdrew! That’s good! It has to be intentional to walk away from the busy and people!
Very good for moms to realize, the always “on” for everyone and everything else except themselves. We have to withdraw for our well-being! We know how it builds up if we don’t!
Great observation, Hannah! Context is everything! ❤
❤️
I love my quiet time in the mornings. I keep my phone on silent during this time. I don’t want distractions. But we travel frequently and I lose my quiet mornings. Which we happen to be doing today. I really don’t like losing my quiet time spent in His word.
In Genesis 28 God the Father made it clear that he wanted access for us to heaven and for heaven to come down to us. And then His perfect plan came in Jesus. Jesus made it clear that he was our access to heaven and for heaven to come to us. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life no one comes to the father except through me. John 14:6. How wonderful that we can go off alone and be with Jesus and tell him anything. Alone we can open our heart with our needs, our hurts, our gratitude and our worship. I’m so thankful our Father wants this relationship with us, to be 1:1 with us. We are precious to Him❤️❤️
I have early morning quiet time with God but long to make a habit of a night time, before bed quiet time of thoughtful reflection of the day.
❤️
I have been enjoying all the crazy sorority rush videos, and the comparison to when I was in college in the 2010s. This devotional brings to mind a lesser known song we would sing at pref night and when a girl gets engaged, linger. It’s so beautiful it would make me cry every time and I LOVE the thought of lingering with God or him singing this over me “I want to linger mmmm, a little longer, I want to linger here with you.
Lingering is such a great word:)
Lingering is such a great word:)
I love this! So simple yet profound. Lately I have been having a hard time getting quiet before the Lord, with my mind all over, distracted by my phone, or anything else that comes my way. So I have been changing it up – I have started going for a beach walk on mornings I am not working, listening to worship music and letting my prayers be guided by the music. For me, I think the movement helps me to center myself.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Tami! Thanks, Rhonda, for the heads up! ❤❤❤
Belated Happy Birthday, Tami
Happy Birthday Tami!
The beach would be a beautiful way to start the day :)
TAG – Time Alone with God.
❤️
Love that!❤
Thank You for this rhythm…help me to trust You & stay in Your presence!!
Amen!
GM ladies. Here is our list of prodigals. Add any names in the comments.
Isaiah 43:19 Look, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert
Alice V – Brian, Rachel
Kim Mullins – Tyler
Tami – Chela, Quentin
Sharon – Nicholas, Jonathan
Rebecca W – Brett, Jake, Joey, Lindsay, Kelly, Abby, Katelyn, Katie
Emma Rageth – Olivia, Ali
Indiana Elaine – Kent, Shelley
Mari V – Rick, Marta, Toby
Tricia C – David, Allison, Christopher, Lina, Travis, Nicole
Mia Faith – Parker, Isaiah, Alexandra, Griffin, Annalee, Bill
Aleida – Victor
Maddie – Michelle, Julia
Rhonda – Michael
Charlotte Hill – Casey, John, Emma
Deb – Brandon, Angel
Linda J – Matthew
Mollie – Sam
MMD – Ethan, Hayden, Rachel
Carol H – Justin, Ezekiel, Elijah, Andrew
Kari – Rachel, Josh, James, Ayano
Mi Sherry – Kaitlyn, Aaron, Will
Cheryl Read – Renee, Jason, Kayden, Kylee
Wendy B – Amy, Colton, Kirk, Nick
Anne Klinkhammer – Molly
Sue Dalos – Chelsea, Kenny
Bessie – Ben
Annie Hewitt – Annie pls give me name/s:)
Sandy Lynn – Andy
Diane – Jon, Keith, Roger, Mike
Jane K – Leah
B – M, B
Susan B – Tammy, Amy
Carla – Cierra, Stephen
Lisa H – Cora
Kimberk – Megan, Randy
Adrienne – Raelynn, Tyler, Tracy, Micayla
Brandi – Levi, Sarah, Ellen, India
Robin Bailey – Rodney, Brian
Erin L – Emerson, Zoe
Janet – Ryan, Amanda, Matthew, Stephanie
Sheryl – Adam, LaShonda
Maria J – Benjamin, Mike, Mark, Patrick
Maria B – Chris, Tristan, Madeline, Cristal, Shanty, Nicole, Luis
Melani Fryer – Matthew, Dylan, Courtney, Lydia
Therese – Ryan, Brittany, Sydney
Traci Gendron – Kara, Andrew
Jenny Carmichael – Katy
Mercy – boys in social care system
Kerry Rowley – Preston, Parker, Lindsey
Maria S – Joshua, Katie, Zoe
Melissa – Madison, Richard, Liam, Zac, Wesley
Felicia – Brittin, Tyler
Vicki – Ben, Sian
TC – Randi, Michael, Callie
Elizabeth – Trae, Xavier, Reya
Adie – Monica, Shawn, Stephanie
Susan B – Emma
Penni – Les, Jonah, Emily, Garret, Domi, Connor, Grace
Nat – Marissa, Melody
Martha Hix – Claire, Ralph, Tyler, Whitney, Trey
Phobie – Phobie, Greg, Steve, Jessie
Laura – Jordan, Taliah
April L – Molly, Becca
Karen Breaux – Brittany, Justin, Erin, Jordyn
Heather – Jack, Hudson
Cheryl Blow – Sara
Dianne – Ian
Leap – Liz, Teg, Taylor, Alison
Tara B – Clara Paige, Anna
Debra K – Stephen, Meagan, Daniel, Creg
Margaret W. —David, Matthew, Missy, Becca, Marianna
Melzie K- Jake, Cece & Elijah
Shar – K
Leala – Ryan, AJ, Sam
Jennifer – Matthew, Lauren and families
Cat-tee – A & A, K & T
K-Ann – G, T, S
Cathy McVey – Jeremiah, Brayden, Nolan, Ashlyn
Keri – Finley, Rudy, Scout, Nellie, Polly, Dottie, Goldie
Lena- Andrea, Lanie, Eiley, Everly, Schaefer
LaRae – Levi
Julie G – Matt, Katherine, Ray
AML – Jonathan, Jake, Emma, Becca
Kristin G – Brandon, Melissa
Allegra – Lydia, Nick, Micah, Jonah
Karen – Nathan, Bailey
Jazz – Blake, Zoie, Greg, Elizabeth
Gina – Carolyn, Steven
Cindy – Toby, Clarissa, Katie, Samantha
TS Woodruff – Danielle
Tammy H.- Alyssa
Danielle B – Joelle, Adam
Myra – Mitchell
Debby – Kristen
Jenn F – B&E, J&T
K – Alizabeth
Stephanie – Greg
Melanie C – Casey, Corey, Celeste, Kat
Mollie – Haley, Jeff, Rhonda
Margo – Lindsey, Drew, Lauren, Spencer
Meghan – Maddie, Brianne
Susan – Natassia
Donna – Kathy
Donna – Linda
Melanie – Jeff, Gary, Drake, Logan, Ryan
KMC – Rachelle, Karah, Joshua
Donna- Sherry
Kelly – Kyla, Brendan
Marie S – Joshua, Carleigh, Zoe, Terry, Edie, Brady
Jenn F – K&L, B&S, J&C
Eileen – Chris
Erin E – Ava
SB – T
Mollie – Stephanie
Emma – Greg, Rico, Leah, Mikey, Logan, Ryan, Stephanie, Dillon , Danae, Julie, and Sean
Please add my three children: Grayson, Clay, and Carley
Praying for your children this morning❤️
Thank you Tami for faithfully posting this list as a reminder for us to pray!
Solitude is a great way to decompress for me. Just an opportunity to shake off the noise of the world and “tune in” to what God may be trying to say to me.
.
Traveling to VA to see my mom for a couple days. Hopeful the time will lift her spirits a bit.
.
Enjoy your Labor Day
Prays for you, your Mom, and safe travels
Sending prayers for a peaceful visit with your mom and safe travels
Safe travels Kelly – enjoy the time with your mom, praying it lifts her spirits.❤️
Praying for a safe trip and good visit with your mom
Be sure to give your mom a hug from the She’s and tell her we are continuing our prayers for her comfort and peace! Praying you can speak some Jesus in to her that really penetrates!
Safe travels and a special time if encouragement with your mom! I just tagged you in my comment before reading this and mentioned her! ❤❤❤
Praying for you as you travel to see your mom and the sweet, special time you get to spend with her lifts her spirits.❤️
I do enjoy alone time with the Holy Spirit
It’s a time of rest and unwinding
❤️
Amen!
.
Solitude is a welcoming time to listen, pray, reflect. As Jesus said (paraphrasing), “we are not alone, our Father is with us.” John 16
❤️
I love this, thank you Sarah Freymuth!
.
It’s not always easy to find minutes in the setting of ‘life’. Always busy, always doing, and for sure always on the go..
.
BUT GOD..
.
You know from time to time, not every day as one hopes, I am able to sit, having downed tools and be.. just be, and in that being, I talk with my Father, I worship, I praise, I dance.., I am in deep with dear Father God, and its special, tru.y it is.
My everyday moments are just that, but moments nonetheless, talking to God, throughout the day keeps me thankful for His presence in my life and day..
Lord, he.p me to make more time to be in solitude with you..
.
Amen.
.
Happiest of Mondays dear hearts, coveredvin prayers, hugs and love..❤️
❤️
I love this Tina! “In deep with the Father”!
Happy Monday Tina! ❤️
Back atcha, sister! ❤