Lately I’ve been thinking about the importance of spending time alone with God.
I still battle giving God my undivided attention and regularly devoting time to focusing only on Him and being in His presence. If a married couple fails to spend time alone with each other, intimacy fades. The same is true with my Lord.
Scripture tells me that Jesus spent time alone with God. If He needed that, how much more do I?
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16).
Some of the obstacles that try to block my alone time with God are unworthiness, believing lies, distractions, and fears.
Here are some of the many blessings I’ve received during my time alone with my loving heavenly Father.
REST:Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 NIV).
RELEASE: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
REFRESHING: The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul (Psalm 19:7).
RESTORATION: He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…(Psalm 23:2-3).
REJOICING: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5).
RECONCILIATION: But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently] (Luke 15:20 AMP)
RECEIVING:For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened. (Luke 11:10 AMP)
God promises in Psalm: 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,…” I want that, but even more I want to know God—really know Him–and have intimacy with Him, so how I live my life will bring Him glory.
I confess that too often I am enticed by the things of this world that try to draw me away from God. My prayer is that I will grow more and more in loving to spend time alone with God—like the writer of this hymn.
Alone with God Johnson Oatman, Jr.
When storms of life are round me beating,
When rough the path that I have trod,
Within my closet door retreating,
I love to be alone with God.
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Refrain:
Alone with God, the world forbidden,
Alone with God, O blest retreat!
Alone with God, and in Him hidden,
To hold with Him communion sweet.
How about you? Do you have a hard time spending time alone with God? May God help you to develop this discipline that will improve every aspect of your life.
Hearts Set Free Blog 
For women who find a quiet place hard to come by, this little essay by Anita Corrine Donihue from When I’m On My Knees, helped me find a place to be alone with God….
“Once again I retreat from the clamor and bickering. I silently slip through the door. I close it and lock it. On my knees by my altar, I lift my heart in praise, urgent petition and love. Ah, yes! I can already hear the peace, and I sense your work has begun. Thank you, Lord, for own private altar. My knees press on hard tile with one little rug. The air is filled with disinfectant. My elbows rest on smooth porcelain. Though my prayer room is my bathroom, my altar my bathtub, at this moment it is my holy of holies. My heart rejoices in You. I return to my duties until the next time I come here to meet with You.” Thank you, Elaine, for reminding us how important time alone with the Lord is if we want to grow in our relationship with Him.