This has come up a lot lately: being alone with God in a desolate place. Jesus did it often. And in conversations throughout the week, this has escaped my lips more than once “We need to go to a desolate place and pray.” Think about it, wasn’t that Jesus’ habit? And why a desolate place? What is a desolate place? The Gospel writers wanted us to know Jesus’ big habit: He would go to a place void of people and distractions, and pray. This is where He would gather strength for what was before Him, and this is how He modeled the lives we should also lead.
When we go to be alone, what do we often do? We tinker, we work, we get on our phones, we go and find something to do. Is it a wonder that our “alone time” never alleviates the stresses, worries or cares that we go away to alleviate? Loved ones, Jesus was the only man who got everything right. And if He would have a habit of going to a place to be alone to pray, then shouldn’t we seek that same habit? Shouldn’t we seek to draw strength from God rather than give our energies to mindless amusements, works or distractions?
So here is my advice based on Christ’s life: find a desolate place, leave your phone behind, and don’t go to unwind and tinker: go to be alone with the Father. Draw strength from Him. Seek His will, and His glory, and cast all of your cares on Him for He cares for you. Otherwise, you’re going to burn out, and seek your own way, and thus, be just as miserable as when you began.
Matthew 5:5-17
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Mark 1:35-39
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Mark 6:30-32
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Comments