“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
(Luke 5:16)
Reflection:
We can pray at any time and in any place. Jesus did so Himself. However if our prayer life is to become more than arrow prayers addressed to God, and our relationship with Him is to deepen and become more intimate, then our prayers need to become more intentional.
Luke tell us that ‘Jesus often withdrew to lonely places’ to pray. The key words are withdrew and lonely. In other words Jesus walked away from people and the everyday situations to a place where He could be alone and undisturbed with God. It was there that He could focus on God, worship Him privately and speak with Him – that is both talking to God and listening to Him.
Wherever possible we need to find our own ‘lonely place’ – and one which will become associated with God and prayer. A desk or other work place is, therefore, not a good idea because there are too many other associations and ‘silent voices’ clamouring for attention. It should also be a place that we can get to quickly and easily. As Jesus said,
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6)
For some years the only lonely place that I could find was the bathroom! It was the one closed door that three little people would respect. Anywhere else and they wanted to do exactly what I was doing – talk to their father! Whilst not ideal it worked for me – and I still find it very easy to pray there.
Response:
Find your own lonely place – and ask God to bless it. Keep making it special in some way.
Prayer:
Father please help me to withdraw with You to our lonely place every day – and to enjoy being with You there. Amen.
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Softly, Spoke the River 