But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6, NASB)
As a young kid growing up in Beaumont, Texas, I loved playing golf alone, especially in the late twilight of a sultry summer afternoon.
Those mighty pine trees lined the narrow fairways and brought my imagination full circle to Augusta National. Many times, I had a putt on the last green to win that green jacket as the sun set and thousands cheered. I could hear the crowd’s roar, yet I was alone.
Then, the slow walk to the parking lot where mom or dad patiently waited, not knowing I had won another Major championship.
Now, back to the real world. I may not always have others around me, but I am never alone. My Daddy is always with me. That is not my imagination, but His promise: I will never leave or forsake you, and I will be with you always, even to the end of this age. And those were His last words to us in Matthew 28:19-20.
Does the word “alone” spark a feeling of loneliness? Unfortunately, for many, that is the reality. Alone. Sad. Needing a Daddy.
Jesus (and others) can be a good example of the absolute need to be alone with our Father. Jesus wanted this time and looked at it with such inspiration. He needed time alone with His Father to do His earthly work here.
Did you get that? He needed this time. It was not another item on His to-do list. It became life itself to spend time asking and listening to His Daddy.
After feeding the 5,000, Jesus needed time alone. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray, and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Matthew 14:23, NASB).
Before choosing the 12 disciples, He went out to a mountain and spent the night alone praying. Now, it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer with God (Luke 6:12). All night! It was a big decision.
Mark 1:35 says, And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. This came at a busy time in His ministry of healing and teaching others. I am convinced this is a necessity. We must be filled again so we can spill God’s goodness on others.
And lastly, on the night He was betrayed and arrested at the end of His physical ministry on this earth, He wanted to be alone with His Daddy, so He went into the Garden of Gethsemane and fell on His face and prayed, And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
What a great prayer. What a beautiful time in the midst of anger, betrayal, deception, and God’s perfect plan.
Nourishment is a by-product of spending time alone. When it is quiet, we can hear His direction. So, what should we do? Get up early, real early. Listen. His Spirit speaks to you. These few hours are the most important part of our day.
In the end, it will provide for a lot more than another green jacket. Scottie Scheffler would agree.
Prayer: Lord, we are here, and we are listening.