Thursday, October 12, 2017 The Dark Night of the Soul: The Discipline of Solitude, Part 3 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Dark Night of the Soul: The Discipline of Solitude, Part 3 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:10

“Who among you fears the Lord?
Who obeys the voice of His Servant?
Who walks in darkness
And has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord
And rely upon his God.

Devotional:

As we pursue the discipline of true solitude, it is common and even expected that we will enter into seasons of what often feels like a spiritual darkness or dryness. This is labeled by the men and women of wisdom who have gone before us as a “dark night of the soul.” God uses these often confusing times to teach us to rely less on our feelings as believers, and to draw us into a more intimate reliance on Him in our walk of faith. It is tempting to keep seeking a more emotional spiritual experience during these times, and we might even find others questioning our obedience to the Lord when we share our struggles. However, we live in a state of confession, repentance and devotion we can be assured that when we experience this season, it is for our good. Pastor Foster even recommends keeping this season to ourselves, and digging in and allowing the time of dryness to be a time of refining in our soul.

For those times, I want to share: Don’t give up. He is there, working to perform His will in you. He loves You, and You can learn to trust him more deeply in this time than you might know. You have a good Father, and He is in love with you. This is for your good.

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

God, You are my God. I will seek You! You are beautiful and incredible. Who am I that You are mindful of me? I bless You today, Holy Father.

Confession:

God, I open my heart before You and ask that You will search me. Reveal any area that I am holding onto. Help me to be fully reliant on You and honest with You and with myself. I confess (name area(s) that the Lord reveals for His healing. Mine today: I was impatient with my children yesterday. We’ve been sick and You are showing me that I don’t have patience with them when I feel they are not moving fast enough. I don’t want to burden them with this, and I don’t want to fall into that pattern again and again. Forgive me, Lord, and help me to make a fresh start and a permanent turnaround.)

Supplication:

Lord, I am in need of Your touch today. (Share your needs with the Lord. Mine today: I am so exhausted with this sickness. I feel badly for my frustration. I also feel the desperate need for relief. Lord, please refresh me. Help me to continue to be patient today. Help me to love on my children and give them Your heart for them.)

Intercession:

I lift my children to You, Lord. I ask that You will teach them early to rely on You for their counsel, and as they seek You, when they enter into a dark night of the soul let them press in and learn to depend on You for their Source instead of an experience. (Journal needs and concerns, victories and progress. Chloe: Lord, thank You that she is feeling well enough to go to school today! I am deeply grateful for Your healing. She is also regressing into screaming tantrums, and I am struggling with the discipline. I don’t want to fall into threats. Help me to nip this in the bud again. Get to the root early, Lord, so that this doesn’t control her life. Christian: Lord, thank You that he is using words! Thank You that he is willingly communicating with us!! I am so worried about his little body. He has been so sick with diarrhea for four days now. Lord, please reverse this illness. Strengthen and heal him, and give him reprieve.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

Lord, I am thankful that You are steering, guiding and working in my home. I love You, and thank You for this time with You. I bless Your holy Name and lift You up! Thank You for all You are and all you do.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.