Modern day life can be filled with constant noise and activity. From the moment we wake up till the dusk of day, most people will be moving around between home, work, school, getting basic necessities, running errands and so on. In such a world, spending time alone in solitude is probably hard to come by. There is usually a constant bustle of activity and being surrounded by people in various social settings, especially in a fast-paced, small island nation like Singapore. In today's world, one is also more likely to come across scientific studies demonstrating negative health outcomes or risks arising from social isolation, rather than any positive aspects.
The usual narrative we have become accustomed to is that spending time alone is usually not a desirable thing, and it is not something worth actively pursuing.
However, I would like you to suspend that mindset for a while and consider the potential spiritual value of taking time out to be spent in solitude and silence, especially when it is a conscious decision to be alone and quiet before God. Christians could benefit from fostering a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and studying His holy word in such occasional moments of solitude, and overall spiritual growth too.
Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating for one to be constantly isolated from others, for indeed God did not desire for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). We were made to be social beings and there can be tremendous value in family members (both physical and spiritual families) spending time with one another to build each other up, look out for needs, deepen bonds and work towards common objectives.
I am referring to the value of occasional solitude, for which there is biblical evidence of, and which Jesus Himself practiced at many critical points.
In the scriptures we can read examples of how Jesus withdrew from people or crowds in activities of daily life. It happened before He made important decisions, in the middle of ministering to many people, and when He was dealing with troubling emotions like grief. He spent time to be alone with the Father and pray, even before His death on the cross.
One example happened in the early days of Jesus' ministry, when He came to Galilee preaching the gospel and making disciples of men. In Mark 1:35, it is written that “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
This happened before Jesus and His disciples went to various towns and synagogues to preach and cast out demons. The solitary time spent in prayer likely helped Him prepare or energize Himself for the activities to come. It was not a flash-in-the-pan moment as it was written that He rose a long while before daylight to do this.
Another example can be seen in Matthew chapter 14, before the feeding of the five thousand using five loaves and two fish. It was written that “'When Jesus heard it (the beheading of John the Baptist), He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself." (v13) Though not explicitly recorded, Jesus was likely emotionally affected by the news of John the Baptist’s death and therefore needed some moments in solitude to grieve.
Later along in Matthew chapter 14, Jesus again "sent the multitudes away" and “went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there." (v23) Once again, it sounded like a significant amount of time Jesus spent in solitude and in prayer to God the Father.
Finally, when Jesus faced moments of great stress, such as the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46) before He was taken to the cross to be crucified, He sought silence and solitude to pray and prepare for the trials ahead. This practice serves as a powerful reminder for Christians today: in times of uncertainty or turmoil, retreating into solitude and silence can lead to renewed strength and purpose.
Prayer during solitude allows for more reflection and fostering greater reliance on God. For Christians, as followers of Christ we can learn from His example and incorporate more solitary time in prayer to enhance spiritual well-being and develop a deeper relationship with God. Such occasional time alone could be wielded effectively for thanksgiving, requests, reflection, healing, or emotional regulation.
While it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture as we get caught up in the busyness of life, Jesus’ example teaches us that solitude can lead to clarity and direction in our lives.
Ask Myself:
What were some of the things Jesus Christ often did to prepare for trials ahead?
How long did Jesus spend in such moments of solitude?
How can you personally use occasional moments of solitude to enhance your own spiritual growth and journey?
Suggested Answers:
He regularly withdrew Himself and departed to solitary places to spend time alone in prayer to God the Father (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23).
It was not specifically written in the chapters referenced, however it may be implied that significant durations of time were spent (Mark 1:35 - “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight…” and Matthew 14:23 - “He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.”)
You may discuss this with the writer or your Bible class teacher.