But He would often slip away from the crowds to be alone with His heavenly Father.
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!” Mark 1
As a spiritual leader, it is important that you follow Jesus' example and often find a solitary place...a place away from people...to spend time with God.
Here are some times when Jesus slipped away from the crowds and spent time alone with His Father.
To prepare for a major task (Luke 4:1-2, 14-15). After Jesus was baptized, He spent 40 days praying in the wilderness. After this, He was tempted by Satan and then began His public ministry.
To recharge after hard work (Mark 6:30-32). Jesus sent the 12 disciples out to do ministry. When they returned, He encouraged them to separate from the people who were following them to rest.
Before making an important decision (Luke 6:12-13). Early in His ministry, Jesus spent the whole night alone in prayer. The next day He chose His 12 disciples.
In a time of distress (Luke 22:39-44). Hours before Jesus was arrested, He went to the Mt. of Olives and went a short distance away from His disciples to pray. He was in great emotional agony, knowing what He was about to face.
Do you want to make an impact for God's kingdom?
Do you want to be used by God to reach and disciple kids and their parents?
Do you want to see God do the miraculous?
Do you need to recharge your spiritual battery?
Do you want to know God at a whole new level?
Then you must hide from people on a regular basis and use the time to connect with your Heavenly Father. Look what it says in Matthew 6:6.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
When you slip away by yourself to a quiet, secret place and spend time there with your Heavenly Father, He will reward you. You will be used by God to make an impact.
Private prayer leads to public blessings.Are you struggling with your ministry? Seeing very little of God's blessings? Desperate to see God move and change lives?
Get away from people this week as often as possible. Spend time with God. Read His Word. Talk to Him. Listen to what He speaks into your spirit.
Ever wonder why spending solitary time with God can be such a challenge? Perhaps it's an attack from the enemy. He knows if He can keep you busy and occupied, then He can keep you away from the blessings of God. Don't be swept into this.
Don't get so busy working for God that you don't have time to spend with God.
We live in a loud, noisy world. New emails constantly dinging our inbox. Text messages waiting for an immediate response. Incoming calls lighting up our cell phones. Voice messages distracting our attention. Ads clamoring to get us to sign up for the latest and greatest.
Think about it with me. Are you regularly hiding from people so you can give your undivided attention to God? How much time each day are you spending with God and His Word? Are you regularly allowing people to override the time you have allotted with God?
Start hiding. For when you start hiding and spending time alone with God, you will see your ministry with people go to a whole new level of effectiveness.
When will you hide today?
