Lessons on Prayer Part 2 Read part 1 here:
"Solitude"
By Jerry Nance PhD, President, Global Teen Challenge
As I continue to work on rebuilding the altar in my own life, I realize there are some key principles that are required to make prayer a priority in my life. I must make prayer an appointment, a set time to be there and to focus on prayer. I also have to get away from distractions that will lead me into thinking of work related items.
Jerry Nance
The Bible is clear on this subject - Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” If you want to find God, seek him. That is pretty clear. How you seek him is the challenge in this day of noise. We all are so distracted by noise, cell phones, text, meetings, people issues, TV, radio, horns and all other life noises.
I do have a recommendation for you that I have found to be effective.
In this edition of Leadership Link I want to talk about the subject of solitude. “Rebuilding the Altar often requires a time of solitude.”
In 1 Kings 17:1-3, Elijah was sent by God into the Kerith Ravine. God led him to hide! To be alone in a ravine, a ditch away from the public, away from the noise. Kerith means:
cutting
a place of aloneness
a place of pain
a place of solitude
a place where God has your full attention
Kerith was a place where Elijah could commune with God without distraction.
Elijah was sent into a place of solitude by the Lord.
Elijah was most likely alone, for a period of approximately 2 years which could have caused him to be lonely. But God’s presence was there with him, and Elijah was in the school of Christ, a place to get really close to God and to hear from him clearly.
When one chooses a place of solitude - they generally find the presence of the Lord.
Many people hide because they hurt! People continue to hurt because they don’t know how to heal. Healing is found in the presence of the Lord. When we take the time and focus on spending time alone with God, we will eventually find healing in His presence. That is not to say that all our issues go away, but one finds the assurance that God is with them and He gives the insight on how to press forward in our situations. In His presence we find hope, healing and clear vision.
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To maintain clear vision you need time a time of solitude—a time of re-calibration. Why? So I can be an unselfish server. So we can know Him in His fullness.
Jesus often sought a place of solitude with the Father.
Matthew 14:13, Jesus slipped away in a boat.
John 6:15, He withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Mark 1:35, Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place.
Luke 4:42, At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. Mark 2:13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake, See also Mark 3:7 and 4:1.
Mark 6:31 Jesus withdrew to a quiet place, (verse 35) a remote place.
Do you get the point! Jesus felt it highly important to find a place of solitude, alone with his Father. Jesus made solitude a priority! Jesus knew he needed alone time with the Father to fulfill his purpose.
"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." E.M. Bounds
Our effectiveness is proportionate to our time in prayer and His word.
The Mega Question in life is, “Am I spending enough time in solitude with Christ?” Note: Everything becomes clearer in the presence of Christ!
The longer I’m there, the clearer things become.
Let’s take a closer look at what solitude means.
Solitude is being alone on purpose
Solitude is being alone for personal growth and accomplishment
Solitude is being alone for personal renewal and refreshment
Solitude is being alone in order to enhance our relationships
Solitude is being alone in order to be with God
When we are alone, we can discern God’s presence.
Martin Luther wrote, “I do not know it and do not understand it, but sounding from above ringing in my ears I hear what is beyond the thought of Man.” As I sit in solitude, I frequently find that inner fullness that wells up from inside and pulls me into a deep sense of communion with God.
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In solitude with God, all the other benefits of being alone come together as well. We find a sense of purpose that stimulates our creativity while bringing personal renewal and enhanced relationships. When we add solitude to efforts to set aside a time and place to be with God, we have the necessary framework for a quiet time.
Jerry Nance
President
Global Teen Challenge
The mission of Global Teen Challenge is to assist in the development and implementation of Teen Challenge programs around the world. Today there are more than 1100 Teen Challenge programs in 91 countries of the world. It is our desire to provide the best and latest tools available in helping individuals with life controlling addictions. According to the United Nations, more than 200 million people worldwide struggle with drug abuse. Drug users are getting younger and their use is becoming more frequent. Alcohol and drug addictions are plaguing our nations, our cities and invading our homes. We are committed to doing everything we can to reach people around the globe with life controlling problems. For more information on Global Teen Challenge, visit our website at www.GlobalTC.org
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