About
Margaret Wooding Jones
In today’s demanding world, carving out time for spiritual stillness can feel almost impossible. Between work, family responsibilities, and the constant buzz of technology, many of us struggle to pause long enough to listen—to ourselves, to God, or even to the people around us. In her new book, Quiet: A Guide to Spending Time with God in a Demanding World, author Margaret Wooding Jones offers a compassionate and practical roadmap for finding sacred space amidst life’s noise.
Margaret Wooding Jones, based in Sheffield, UK, has spent decades involved in church leadership and prayer ministry. She has led countless “quiet days” for groups and individuals, helping people step away from their everyday pressures to reconnect with God. Over the years, she developed a wealth of resources that had only been used once or twice. Rather than letting them sit on her laptop, she felt compelled to share them with a wider audience.
That desire birthed Quiet, a book that not only compiles her best resources but also provides guidance for anyone who wants to take intentional time out—whether once every six months, weekly, or whenever the need for stillness arises.
She explains that we live in an incredibly demanding world where countless things compete for our attention. The purpose of Quiet is to help readers find a place to be still, to reflect on their personal journey—where they’ve come from, where they are going, and how God fits into that picture.
When Wooding Jones talks about “quiet,” she isn’t simply advocating for silence. Instead, she encourages readers to step away from daily pressures, whether for an afternoon or a full day, in order to create intentional space for listening. This time might involve prayer, Bible reading, and reflection on life.
Her passion for scripture runs throughout the book. She emphasizes that God speaks powerfully through His Word, and Quiet provides guided reflections designed to help readers hear Him more clearly. The reflections are straightforward, practical, and accessible to both newcomers and experienced believers seeking to deepen their spiritual life.
One of the most unique aspects of Quiet is its adaptability. The author recognises that not everyone feels comfortable attending a group retreat or organized quiet day. For these readers, she offers simple, structured suggestions for personal quiet time that can be practiced independently.
At the same time, she includes material for leaders who want to guide groups through reflection and prayer. The book’s resources, tips, and examples equip facilitators to run meaningful “quiet days” for others.
This dual approach makes Quiet valuable both for individuals seeking rest and for church leaders, small group facilitators, and spiritual directors wanting to serve their communities.
Interestingly, Wooding Jones never imagined she would become a published author. She initially joined a course called “Writing My Book” with the simple intention of organizing her notes. The course set a goal of 30,000 words, but by the end she had written over 45,000.
She describes herself as astonished by the outcome, admitting she hadn’t thought she would ever finish a book. The encouragement and step-by-step support of the course helped her see that the process was achievable, which gave her the confidence to complete it.
Holding the finished book in her hands left her both surprised and delighted, knowing it could now reach a wider audience and serve as a genuine help to many.
We live in an age of constant distraction. Phones buzz with notifications, workloads increase, and even our downtime is filled with noise from streaming platforms or social media. For many, the idea of being still feels uncomfortable—even foreign.
Yet this is precisely why Quiet feels so timely. The book underscores that stillness is not a luxury but a necessity. Intentional quiet moments allow us to:
Those longing for a deeper spiritual life but unsure where to start will find in Quiet a gentle and encouraging guide.
The book has already been praised by respected Christian leaders who value its wisdom and practicality. It has been described as a much-needed guide to calming life’s noise in order to listen for God’s voice. Others note that its biblical insights, examples, and humour make it a refreshing and spiritually nourishing companion. It has also been called both “wise” and “practical,” affirming its relevance for today’s readers.
At its core, Quiet carries a simple hope: that readers will hear God for themselves and be encouraged to become the best versions of who they are meant to be.
The book is ultimately not just about pausing for personal reflection but about transformation—helping people live more fully, love more deeply, and walk more closely with God.
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