Monday, July 8, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

My Quiet Place - Part One

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

For the last three days, I have been in Texas spending time with my husband. As I was drinking a cup of coffee yesterday morning watching for deer and other animals to emerge from the woods, I began to reflect on how easy it is to commune with God and His creation when we are removed from the hustle and bustle of life.

While sitting peacefully relishing this quiet time, I realized the importance of always having a place in which we could remove ourselves to be alone with God. Today's verse instructs us to go to our room, close the door, and to pray. This verse also includes the promise that God will reward us for finding that solitary time with Him.

So, how do we obey God's command found in Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God" WHEN there is normally a flurry of activity surrounding us at all times??? I believe that we need to with great intention and consistency identify a location...a time...to be with Him.

In my home, my location is my recliner located in a central part of my house which is usually quite busy. What makes this the perfect spot for me has nothing to do with the location but everything to do with the time that I have identified as my time with God....the early hours of the morning when everyone sleeps in my household.

My challenge to you today is to find that place and the right time for you to commune with God with no interruptions. Chuck Swindoll once stated "Real prayer is spontaneous, down-to-earth communication with the living Lord." I encourage you to establish a pattern of doing just that - communicating with our God - letting Him know how important this time with Him is to you. Remember that He has attached a promise of a great reward for those who are diligent in doing so!

Dear Lord, You provide a great example in Mark 1:35 for us to follow in finding a time and place to consistently pray - "Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray." Help me to find such a place where I could meet You each and every day of my life.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.