# Solicitude to be with God
*2020-03-14*

> Bill Young reflects on the necessity of solitude in the spiritual life, especially during a time of national prayer and growing uncertainty.

## A National Day of Prayer

Today is Sunday, March 15th, and the president has announced it as a National Day of Prayer. We love to pray, and in addition to this national observance, we are continuing day six of the nine-day consecration to St. Joseph leading up to his feast day on March 19th.

## God's Intimate Knowledge of Us

I want to share a reflection from 'Journey from the Heart: Lenten Reflections and Prayers' by Father Henry J. M. Newman. There is a passage in the Bible where our Lord Jesus says He knows how many hairs are on your head. While that may be literally true, I believe the deeper meaning is that He knows every minute, every second, and every hour of our lives. He knows exactly what is happening to us.

## Finding Peace in Unexpected Places

I experienced a bit of this today while attending Mass at St. David's Catholic Church. My plan was to sit in the back two rows to keep some distance from others, and to my surprise, the church was almost empty. While it was surprising to see so few people, it provided a sense of comfort and a moment of quiet.

## The Discipline of Solitude

In Matthew 6:6, the Lord tells us: 'Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.' Father Henry Newman writes that without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. Solitude begins with a dedicated time and place for God and Him alone. If we believe that God is actively present in our lives—healing, teaching, and guiding us—we must set aside space for Him with our undivided attention.

## Facing the Inner Chaos

Bringing solitude into our lives is one of the most necessary yet difficult disciplines. Even when we desire it, we often feel apprehension. As soon as we are alone—without people to talk to, books to read, televisions to watch, or phones to call—our inner chaos opens up. This chaos can be so disturbing and confusing that we find ourselves rushing to get busy again. The confrontation of our inner conflicts can be painful to endure, but it is where we find the Lord.

*True spiritual growth requires the discipline of solitude, allowing us to move past our inner chaos to be alone with God.*