In your walk with Christ, you’ve likely heard the importance of coupling prayer with reading God’s Word. But there’s another step that can deepen your life of prayer—practicing silence and solitude. These two disciplines don’t just support prayer; they amplify it. They offer space for your soul to meet God without distraction, helping you focus more deeply on His Word and presence.
Jesus modeled this rhythm for us. After John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdrew “to a remote place to be alone” (Matt. 14:13). He also “went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). If Jesus—the Son of God—needed time alone in prayer, how much more do we in today’s world of constant noise and busyness?
In a culture that prizes productivity and distraction, silence and solitude are radical choices. As Don Whitney wisely puts it in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, “Without silence and solitude, we can be active, but shallow. Without fellowship, we can be deep, but stagnant. Christlikeness requires both sides of the equation” (p. 225). These disciplines are like two sides of the same coin. Silence invites us to refrain from speaking so we can speak to God from the heart. Solitude, on the other hand, involves stepping away—not primarily from others, but to be with the Lord.
You don’t need a retreat center to practice this. Solitude can happen in your car, your dorm room, your apartment—wherever you can temporarily withdraw and turn your heart toward God. Alone time isn’t something to feel guilty about—it’s something to pursue with purpose.
But let’s be honest: creating space for silence and solitude is easier said than done. Depending on your season of life, “margin” might feel like a foreign concept. With three kids at home, I feel this acutely. I’ve learned to be intentional in talking with my wife about when and how she wants time for spiritual growth. If you’re married, this is a category worth discussing. If you’re single, be mindful that other things— social obligations, schoolwork, even ministry— don’t crowd out your time with God. No matter your stage of life, you need silence and solitude to engage God deeply in prayer.
This is especially true for ministry leaders. One of the most neglected spiritual disciplines in ministry is prayer in silence and solitude. Sermon prep, counseling, meetings, and constant responsibilities can fill your schedule quickly. But work for God must be fueled by time with God. If Jesus made time for it, shouldn’t we?
Even short moments of silence throughout the week can make a difference. And consider budgeting longer times—monthly or quarterly— for extended solitude. If your church has the resources for staff retreats, prioritize silence and prayer over strategic planning. When a minister grows in spiritual health, the church often follows.
In the end, silence and solitude aren’t about escape. They’re about encounter—creating space to be with God to untangle your soul in prayer.
This article is adapted from Ford’s book, Formed in His Image: A Guide to Christian Formation (Nashville: B&H Books, 2023), pp. 148–51.
