Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence (Transforming Resources)

Drawing upon the biblical story of the prophet Elijah seeking refuge from Jezebel, Barton uses Elijah’s experiences of solitude and silence in the wilderness to make practical applications for followers of Christ. Throughout the book, Barton gives several examples of how she has practiced the spiritual disciplines of solitude and silence in her own life. Further, at the end of each chapter, she walks the reader through steps to begin “practicing” the area of focus she presented in that chapter. This book would benefit someone attempting to live a more peaceful and quiet life to the glory of God.

This book is a door flung wide open, inviting the believer into deeper fellowship with God. You will not regret reading this book 🙂

This book is so rich in content. Read it once and will need to read it again… so good!Favorite part is the short sample practice after each chapter.

This book was a steady dive into intimacy and vulnerability both with yourself and with the Lord. Not only is it well written, with quality quotes that aren't just taking up space on the pages, the questions posed by the author end up taking you far deeper than anticipated. I read this book with a friend over the course of several months, the chapters were structured in such a way that I wasn't hindered by taking time off occasionally and the lessons always seemed so perfectly timed when I would pick it back up. Would recommend.

I felt invited to adopt " Silence" as my word for 2013.Funnily, enough as I looked around for some wise counsel on the subject, I was led to this beautiful work that has been sitting on my bookshelves for a few months. I can't recall why I bought it originally, however, now sense some divine purpose in it.This is a delightful book to read. It is filled with some tremendous Biblical insight regarding Elijah's journey into the wilderness in 1 Kings 19. This revelation underpins the gentle flow of Ruth Haley Barton's musings.In sharing her journey where time with the Lord in solitude and silence has become a common daily practice, Ruth guides the reader with wisdom and practical application. There are many wonderful supporting quotes from the likes of Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen.I'm 25 days into the new year and am thankful for reading this wonderful guide as I dive deep into seeking to better experience God and all He has for me. I expect I'll be reading it a few more times before the year is up.Highly recommended.

Deeply Christian and deeply human, and I feel Ruth's book challenges us to surrender to where God is leading us and to trust God's plan for us, yet not be complacent rather engage with God's plan with hope, faith, love, and quietude.We can't put God into the box of our own busyness or our agendas and then call that theology. (That's what I got out of Ruth Barton's writing so far.) Rather, I feel that Ruth's book reminds us that it's through God's invitation to Solitude and Silence that God's reminds us how much we are truly loved! And how significantly real it is that God is the boss of life and purpose - Not us! So let go and let God.I think anyone can enjoy this book. It's a challenging book however because today, I feel, that it's so hard to sit still and know that God is in the stillness of our lives.God Bless,Julian

I'm a busy-body, type-A, extreme-extrovert. This book was recommended by my brother, who is a pastor. He also encouraged me to do a silent retreat (I did 48 hours). I only made it through chapter 1 on that retreat, but I'm now through chapter 3...taking time slowly with each chapter has been amazing.Timely info: This would be a MUST BUY for anyone who is stuck home due to COVID-19. I traveled fulltime until March 14 and I'm thankful to have had this as a guide through the strange waters I'm in now.

I liked the depth of the material related to the subject. Typically, these subjects may be dealt with in one chapter. This entire book deals with the subject of Solitude and Silence.

It is a brilliant book; beautifully and engagingly written by someone with a great deal of expertise in the field of prayer and solitude. She describes well both our fundamental human desire for intimacy with God, and the defences that we have erected (often for good reason as we faced painful negative experiences in our lives) in the way of such closeness. It would be helpful to anyone with a desire to pray or to go deeper in prayer, as well as for those who feel drawn to silent prayer, but are too scared to stop and be still.

There are many books in this field, but this one was certainly more inspiring and relevant than some.

Excellent for any busy woman.Well written and encouraging !

I read this book (most of it), and started practising the things Barton teaches, quite a few years ago now--it must have been when it first came out. As I look back on my growth and things that have impacted my spiritual life, this book is now one of the ones that I count as pivotal--it started me on the path of being able to come to Jesus more honestly, openly, and in a much deeper way than before, and learn to have conversations with Him there--to come to Him as I really am, and know His love, His touch, hear His response to the deepest things in my heart. Since then I have bought many copies to share with others. I'm on Amazon again today looking to order and share with others. It is not a book that you just read, it is a book that you DO. I highly recommend it. I hope it blesses you too!

Great book. Love the learning techniques for “being still” and learning to listen to God. Read a borrowed copy of book, then purchased book myself to read again and underline and make notes in my own copy of book!