The Most Essential Spiritual Habit

Why Jesus Sought Solitude (And Why You Should Too)

When was the last time you sat in stillness—not scrolling, not multitasking, not filling the silence with background noise—just still?

For most of us, true stillness feels foreign. We live at a relentless pace, conditioned to believe that productivity equals purpose. The moment we wake up, we’re met with an avalanche of notifications, emails, and responsibilities. If we do manage to carve out a moment of quiet, it’s often filled with the hum of our own anxieties, doubts, and to-do lists.

And yet, throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus withdrawing to be alone—not just to escape the pressures of His ministry, but because solitude was where He found strength, wisdom, and renewal.

If Jesus needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we?

Now, I know solitude can stir up discomfort for a lot of us. Some of us struggle with mental or emotional health realities that make being alone difficult. Others of us live at such a hurried pace that making space for solitude feels overwhelming—even guilt-inducing. And let’s be honest: thanks to our phones, most of us are so dopamine addicted that the idea of quiet and solitude might sound nice, but in reality is a source of boredom at best, deep anxiety at worst.

But solitude isn’t just about being alone. It’s about creating intentional space to sit with God.

And despite all the discomfort, misunderstanding, and counter-cultural nature of solitude, this practice may be the most essential of all spiritual habits. Because without it, none of the others—prayer, Scripture, fasting, worship—can truly take root.

That’s why I want to show you how solitude was a priority in Jesus’ life, why He practiced it, and how we can make it a rhythm in our own lives. Because here’s the truth:

Let’s start by looking at how this played out in Jesus’ own life.

Jesus & Solitude

Even early in His ministry, Jesus was gaining massive recognition as a teacher and healer. People flocked to Him in droves. The demands of ministry were relentless. And yet, Luke 5:16 tells us:

“Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.”

The key word here is often. The Greek verb for “withdrew” is in the imperfect tense, meaning this wasn’t a one-time event—it was Jesus’ regular rhythm.

And the phrase “deserted places” doesn’t just refer to any quiet room. It points to wilderness spaces, places set apart from the noise of the world—places where people throughout Scripture encountered God, from Moses at the burning bush to Elijah on the mountain.

Jesus pursued solitude.

And He did so for specific reasons—reasons that matter just as much for us today.

Why Jesus Practiced Solitude (And Why We Should Too)

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus retreats into solitude at least nine times. Here are three key moments from the Gospel of Luke that show us why.

1. Solitude Prepares Us for Big Events

Luke 4:42 says:

“When it was day, he went out and made his way to a deserted place…”

This moment comes after Jesus’ baptism, His wilderness testing, and the launch of His public ministry. Before stepping fully into His calling—teaching, healing, and eventually going to the cross—Jesus first steps away into solitude.

Before Jesus did something significant, He sought God’s presence.

How often do we prepare our hearts before major life decisions?

Think about it like this: A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned a shoulder injury I’ve been struggling with. I finally went to the doctor, and she confirmed it’s a real mess—bad enough that I’ll eventually need a full replacement. But before I could even get a simple steroid shot, there was so much preparation. X-rays. Consultations. A numbing shot before the actual shot.

If that much preparation goes into a single shot in my shoulder, how much more should we prepare our hearts before stepping into something major—changing jobs, moving cities, entering or ending a relationship, having kids, or stepping into ministry?

2. Solitude Gives Us Wisdom for Major Decisions

In Luke 6:12-13 we read:

“During those days he went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles.”

Even Jesus—the Son of God—took time in solitude before making a significant decision. He didn’t rush. He spent an entire night in prayer.

How often do we pause long enough to seek God’s wisdom before making big decisions?

Think about driving. Have you ever tried to change lanes without checking your blind spot? Maybe you glance at your mirrors and assume it’s clear, only to nearly sideswipe a car?

Seeking wisdom from God in solitude is like checking your blind spot.

Yet, so many of us rush into major life decisions with little to no thought of pausing to seek God’s wisdom. What would it look like for you to stop, get quiet, and actually ask God for direction?

3. Solitude Strengthens Us in Crisis

Luke 22 pictures Jesus leading his disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane, and then “he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray…” (v41).

He is in agony—wrestling with the Father, feeling the weight of what is coming.

If solitude was essential for Jesus to endure His suffering, why do we think we can handle our crises without it?

I’ve been following the wildfires in California—it’s been both tragic and inspiring. It’s tragic because there have been almost 12,000 homes destroyed, over $250 billion in damages, and dozens of lives lost. But it’s also been inspiring to watch these firefighters putting their lives on the line daily. This will sound obvious, but I’ve noticed that none of these men and women are fighting these fires in street clothes. They have specially designed gear that has been engineered to keep them as safe as possible.

Here’s the thing: Navigating crisis without sitting with God is like trying to fight fires in street clothes.

You’re going in unprotected.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to “put on the full armor of God.” We cannot walk through crisis unprotected. We need strength that only God can provide. And solitude is the space in which we find this strength.

Practical Steps to Pursue Solitude

Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, writes:

“We are dealing with actions, not merely states of mind. Those who have come into the living silences have done certain things, have ordered their lives in a particular way to receive this ‘peace that passes all understanding.’”

So what can we do to cultivate solitude?

1. Choose a Physical Place

Find a spot where you can be comfortable, free of distractions, and present with God. If you have young kids, do your best—don’t let frustration steal the practice. Maybe it’s a chair, a room, a park, or even a closet. What matters is consistency.

2. Notice What Wants to Be Tended

Think of your inner world like a garden. Gardens don’t need to be solved—they need to be tended.

Ask: “What is within me right now that needs attention?”

Is it a wound? Confusion? Anxiety? Doubt? Sit with it.

3. Allow God to Be With You

Ruth Haley Barton writes:

“Sit with what comes into your awareness, becoming conscious of God’s presence with you in that awareness. Feel the difference between trying to fix it and just being with it. Feel the difference between doing something with it and resting with it.”

God isn’t asking you to solve yourself. He’s inviting you to let Him be present with you.

Final Thought

Solitude is not about escaping life’s responsibilities. It’s about anchoring ourselves in God’s presence so that we can face those responsibilities with wisdom, strength, and peace.

So, when was the last time you truly sat with God?

If it’s been a while, let this be an invitation.

Create space. Welcome God’s presence. Let Him tend to you.

Because solitude is the space in which we sit with God.