While traveling on business, I decided to “unplug” and take an early afternoon walk in the park—just me and God. With all that was pressing, I questioned if this was the best use of my time. However, a couple of hours later I emerged more clear-minded, energized, and refreshed, making the rest of the day much more productive and enjoyable.

In a world increasingly chaotic and demanding, it’s easy to become so responsive to time demands that it’s almost as if we become “trapped” by our responsibilities. Jesus experienced this also, but His response was strategic and noteworthy.

When the crowds demanding Jesus’ attention grew, we read that He would “withdraw to desolate places to pray” (Luke 5:16). He knew that spending time alone in His Father’s presence was vital to His ability to continue shouldering His earthly responsibilities. The same is true for you and me. If we wish to be successful in fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives, we must also take time to be alone with God and pray.

Here are some examples we see in the life of Jesus when we should “unplug” from people and responsibilities to be in God’s presence and pray:

• When preparing for a big assignment. After Jesus’ baptism, He retreated to the wilderness for 40 days where He was tempted and prayed just prior to beginning His public ministry (Luke 4:1-2, 14-15).
• Before making an important decision. Prior to selecting His disciples, Jesus spent the whole night alone in prayer (Luke 6:12-13).
• To refresh after hard work. After sending the disciples out to do ministry, Jesus encouraged them upon their return to get away from everyone and rest (Mark 6:30-32).
• When working through grief. After His cousin John the Baptist was martyred, Jesus went away by Himself to grieve (Matthew 14:1-13).
• In times of great stress. Shortly before Jesus was arrested and while in emotional agony, He went to the Mt. of Olives and retreated a short distance away from His disciples to pray (Luke 22:39-44).

As demand for our time and attention grows, so does our need to “withdraw to desolate places to pray.” If you wish to be refreshed and refueled to better live out your passion and purpose, make an intentional decision to “unplug” from everything and everyone to spend time with God even when life is at its busiest.

There is great power in being alone with God.