Teaching | The Solitude Practice | Encounter With Our God E04

What if the smallest pockets of free time in your life offer just enough space for silence and solitude?In this conversation, John Mark and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer discuss practicing God’s presence, discerning God’s voice, and meditating on Scripture, specifically among the constant interruptions of family life. The conversation is followed by a time of question and response.This episode is from the Into the Quiet Experience in Dallas, Texas, in Fall 2026.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to:Callie from Dallas, Texas Kathleen from Gilbert, Arizona; Andrew from Swannanoa, North Carolina; Iris from Sokndal, Norway; Patrick from Statham, Georgia. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous.Mentioned in this conversation:Practicing the Presence of God by Brother LawrenceDomestic Monastery: Creating Spiritual Life at Home by Father Ronald RohlheiserExperiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of GodTyranny of the Urgent by Charles HummelThe Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry Into the Old Testament by Sandra L. RichterThe Pursuit of God by A.W. TozerSearching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Jacques PhilippeInvitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation by M. Robert MulhollandThe Holiness of God by R. C. SproulThe Reign of the Servant Kings: A Study of Eternal Security and the Final Significance of Man by Joseph C. Dillow

What if Jesus is waiting for you in the life you already have?In this conversation, John Mark and Tish Harrison Warren—an author and Anglican priest—explore how we can repurpose ordinary aspects of our everyday lives into “incarnational, improvisational” spiritual practices that transform our hearts and minds, rather than waiting for the interruptions to end. The conversation is followed by a time of question and response.This episode is from the Into the Quiet Experience in Austin, Texas, in Fall 2026.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Lydia from Nashville, Tennessee; Laura from Aurora, Colorado; Ryan from Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Michael from Georgetown, Texas; David from Cazenovia, New York. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous. Mentioned in this conversation:Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison WarrenWhat Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience by Tish Harrison WarrenInvitation to a Journey by Robert MulhollandScott Cairns

During a rare appearance after his retirement from public ministry, Richard Foster, one of the pioneers who reintroduced spiritual formation to the protestant stream of the church, joins John Mark to consider where solitude should always lead us: into familiar, joyful friendship with Jesus. This is a remarkable “baton pass” moment from one generation to the next in the spiritual formation movement. Their conversation is followed by a time of question and response.This episode is from the Into the Quiet Experience in Denver, Colorado, in Fall 2026.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jen from Round Mountain, Texas; Ahnna from Johnstown, Colorado; Justin from Bend, Oregon; Timothy from Endicott, New York; Ali from La Jolla, California. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous.

What effect does trauma have on our capacity to hear God’s voice?In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Dan Allender—a therapist with 40 years of experience specializing in trauma—reflect on how the inner “tumult” of solitude might become the open door for Jesus to enter into our deepest wounds. The conversation is followed by a time of question and response.This episode is from the Into the Quiet Experience in Seattle, Washington, in Fall 2026.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Pam from Llano, Texas; Jeff from Centerville, Ohio; Jessie from Houston, Texas; Nicole from Cambridge, Massachusetts; Mallory from Yakima, Washington. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous. Mentioned in this conversation:Psalm 22:1Dietrich BonhoefferPsalm 139:17Ronald Rohlheiser

What happens when you can’t be alone with your own mind?Welcome to a new series of conversations with John Mark and friends about following Jesus out of the overwhelming noise of modern life and into the silent, still presence of the God of peace. In this conversation, John Mark and John Ortberg—a pastor and seasoned guide on spiritual formation—explore how the practices of solitude and Scripture support us in facing the ultimate challenge of life: managing our own minds. The conversation is followed by a time of question and response.This episode is from the Into the Quiet Experience in San Francisco, California, in Fall 2026.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Ruth from Dallas, Texas; James from Johnston, Iowa; Christian from Aurora, Oregon; Paul from Hiawassee, Georgia; Maddy from Lubbock, Texas. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous. Mentioned in this conversation:Mihaly CsikszentmihalyDallas WillardEdmund HusserlDietrich BonhoefferMark Noll

What transformation waits for you in the quiet place?In this final teaching in our series on the ancient practice of solitude, John Mark shares the ultimate purpose of solitude: an encounter with God that uncovers our identity and reveals our calling.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Ronnie from McKinney, Texas; Jim from Fort Collins, Colorado; Amanda from Millcreek, Utah; Nic from Dallas, Texas; and Tabitha from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous. Mentioned in this teaching:Mark 1:32-39Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley BartonOrder your copy of the Solitude Companion Guide at practicingtheway.org/solitude.

Why does solitude sometimes feel less like rest and more like a battlefield?In this teaching on the ancient practice of solitude, John Mark reveals what Jesus and the desert fathers and mothers knew: we don't always go into the quiet place to flee the noise of our lives, but to fight the enemies of our souls.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Rosalia from Trabuco Canyon, California; Hannah from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, United Kingdom; Eric from Tomball, Texas; Nancy from Edgewood, Washington; and Christian from Fairhope, Alabama. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous. Mentioned in this teaching:Matthew 4:1-11Talking Back: A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons by Evagrius PonticusThe Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis"Christ in the Wilderness," painting by Moretto da BresciaOrder your copy of the Solitude Companion Guide at practicingtheway.org/solitude.

What are we afraid will surface when we leave the noise behind?In this teaching on the ancient practice of solitude, John Mark invites us to follow Jesus’ path into solitude, where we can give our feelings, desires, and trust to God, and be shaped by His transforming love in return.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jodi from Hillsboro, Oregon; Mallory from Yakima, Washington; Jordan from Robinson, Texas; Lauren from Moreland Hills, Ohio; and Quentin from Wilson, North Carolina. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous. Mentioned in this teaching:Matthew 26:36-46Matthew 26:36 (cited specifically)The Way of the Heart by Henri NouwenThe Triumph of the Therapeutic by Philip RieffOrder your copy of the Solitude Companion Guide at practicingtheway.org/solitude.

What are we missing by never sitting in the quiet?Welcome to a new series of teachings on the ancient practice of solitude. Together we’ll explore how to step away from the noise of modern life and into the still, peaceful presence of God. In this teaching, John Mark explains what true solitude with God is, what it isn’t, and what might be waiting for us if we follow Jesus into the quiet place.John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Amy from Boulder, Colorado; Elizabeth from San Carlos, California; Catherine from Durham, North Carolina; Maryssa from Lake Oswego, Oregon; and Adam from Edmonds, Washington. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/generous.Mentioned in this teaching:Luke 5:15–16Digital Minimalism by Cal NewportCelebration of Discipline by Richard FosterInvitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley BartonOrder your copy of the Solitude Companion Guide at practicingtheway.org/solitude.

What kind of faith can actually last a lifetime? In this final conversation on Water From A Deep Well, John Mark and Dr. Sittser uncover one quality that stands out in their journey through 2,000 years of Christian history — from the lives of saints and martyrs, to missionaries and laity: the virtue of resilience.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Neil from Lake in the Hills; Sheryll from Pensacola, Florida; Amy from Mount Carmel, Tennessee; Luke from Winscombe, Avon; and Jacob from Olathe, Kansas. Thank you all very much.If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.