Announcing the Launch of 'Prayer Journal'

I am VERY excited to finally be able to announce the launch of my new blog Prayer Journal!

In the summer I began to bounce around the idea of doing a more 'professional style' blog that would be focused on prayer and how to develop our individual prayer life. Over time I worked on it here and there and tried to develop something I'd be happy with. Finally the time has arrived for a public launch!

Here are a few details about it:

• It's hosted separately from Fragrant Incense because I wanted to offer it as a 'stand alone' blog rather than one that is integrated in a website (such as this blog, A View from the Point)
• I also wanted to keep A View from the Point going as a more informal blog, and you can't effectively have more than one blog on a website!
• A View from the Point will be more informal, but it won't be a super personal 'diary' style blog. I have lots of thoughts and ideas that are not specifically 'prayer' oriented, so there will still be lots to View from the Point!

 I'd love for you to check out Prayer Journal if you haven't already. I also hope that you'll keep connecting to A View from the Point as well!

A Missing Key in Spiritual Growth

Yesterday I read a quote from Henri Nouwen that really took me aback.

Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life.

That is such a strong statement! Very dogmatic. 

Perhaps one reason why it strikes me so much is that I do not practice the spiritual discipline of solitude. Don't get me wrong: I have a number of times when I am alone, but that does not automatically qualify as solitude.

This quote provokes me. (in a good way)

We live in society that puts a very high value on productivity and efficiency and effectiveness. In general, spiritual disciplines such as solitude are not esteemed in our fast-paced culture. 

One of the dimensions of many of the spiritual disciplines is that they are a form of voluntary weakness. We are giving up portions of resources that strengthen us. When I give money away, that money is really gone and I can't spead it on something else. When I serve somebody, or pray or meditate, or read the Scriptures, I lose time that I could be using to get other things done.

I like to spend time alone but I almost always am doing something. I value time quite a bit and am always chiding myself on my use of time, looking for more efficient uses of time. I consider prayer a very wise investment of time, however I often have strong urges to 'do things' while I am in personal times of prayer.

So here's my question for you to consider: in what ways could the discipline of solitude strengthen your own spiritual life?

(I encourage you to follow my blog, either by RSS feed or by Networked Blogs)