Alone Time with God

Everyone should seek alone time with God. Sometimes, being alone is not by choice but by circumstance. This article aims to encourage those who are alone due to circumstances. Separation and isolation can be challenging; however, believers can view this time as 'alone time with God'—a chance to meditate on His constant presence and to create opportunities to study, reflect, and pray, fostering spiritual growth.

 

Time to Study: Studying Scripture can be both comforting and spiritually enriching. It also provides guidance for navigating life’s challenges. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (ESV). Studying Scripture brings awareness of the promises of God, including the assurance that He will never leave the believer, as stated in Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (ESV). Reading Scripture during alone time deepens the believer’s connection with God so that He is not perceived as a distant God, but as a God who is near. This connection will replace fear and loneliness with peace. Believers will experience the “perfect peace” spoken of in Isaiah 26:3. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV). This is the peace that is rooted in God’s presence.

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Time to Reflect: Reflection is to intentionally give serious thought or consideration to a matter. Believers are to be intentional about their thoughts on the nearness of God’s presence to remain grounded in awareness. As Scripture affirms, God is omnipresent. Psalm 139:7-10 says, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (ESV). Scripture also affirms that God is not a distant God, but a present and available God. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (ESV). Circumstances may create distance or limited access to others, but never from God. God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus also declares, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Reflecting on the presence of God brings comfort and support to believers and results in praise according to 2 Corinthians 1:3–4. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (ESV). Alone time can be viewed as trouble. Thanks be to God; alone time is not a time when no one is there. For God is present in the lives of believers.

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Time to Pray: Alone time creates a quiet place where only the believer and God abide. In that place, believers can empty themselves before God in heartfelt prayer (James 5:16) about their loneliness and afflictions and appeal for deliverance from their distress (Psalm 25:16-17). A quiet place is ideal for prayer, for Matthew 6:6 says, “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” (ESV). A quiet place creates a space where distractions are turned off, the weight of loneliness is lifted, trust is established, and believers speak honestly to God regarding concerns, hopes, and fears. There is no need for believers to polish their words in prayer, but they can call upon God with raw, real words. Once prayers have filled the space, the believer can rest before the Lord, be still, and listen undisturbed to His peace and guidance (Psalm 46:10). Jesus is an example of someone who elected to create alone time with God. The Bible records several instances in which Jesus prayed alone with God (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 4:1-2, 14-15; Mark 6:30-32; Matthew 14:23; Luke 22:39-46). Jesus understood the necessity of alone time with God. As stated in Philippians 4:6-7, “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” (ESV). Prayer in solitude brings peace and strengthens faith.

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What better time is there to pursue God for spiritual renewal than during alone time, where one’s time is not shared with others? As believers study, reflect, and pray, they will experience spiritual growth by obtaining clarity, peace, and guidance. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (ESV). An example of how valuable alone time with God is when the Prophet Elijah received a word from the Lord to go stand on the mountain before the Lord. God’s voice was not heard in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12). The Prophet had to stand alone to hear God's voice. Whether by choice or by circumstance, alone time with God can become a transformational experience that deepens the believer’s faith, strengthens spiritual maturity, and cultivates intimacy with God.

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If you are reading this article and are a non-believer, we invite you today to believe in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins and be converted so you can enjoy the constant presence of God. The next step is to connect with a local body of believers where you can receive instructions on how to study, reflect, and pray so you can grow spiritually and be prepared for your 'alone time with God,' whether by choice or by circumstance.

 

Let the church say amen!

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Written by Dr. Pearlie Freeman

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May 2026

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