Quiet Time with the Father

Quiet Time with the Father

In a world overflowing with information, we are constantly surrounded by voices
offering advice, encouragement, and direction. Friends lend an ear, family share
their experiences, books reveal human insight, and the internet offers endless
opinions on every imaginable topic. While many of these sources can be helpful
and even wise, they are still ultimately human and limited. They may speak from
love, knowledge, or good intentions, but they don’t have the eternal perspective,
or the flawless wisdom and love of God. For those who truly seek clarity and
purpose, there is no substitute for turning to God in private prayer.
Private prayer is the sacred space where a person enters into conversation with
our King. It is not marked by eloquence or formality, but by sincerity and
humility. In this quiet place away from the noise of the world we’re able to
unburden our hearts, seek God’s guidance, and listen for His voice.
When we seek advice from people, we often frame our questions in ways that
elicit the answers we want to hear. We lean toward voices that affirm our desires
or agree with our preferences. This tendency can be dangerous, because it can
direct us on a path that may not be best or even right. But when we approach God
in prayer, especially with a surrendered heart, we invite a higher authority to
shape our thinking, to correct us where necessary, and to lead us in truth even
when it challenges us.
Jesus Himself modeled this, and He frequently withdrew to pray alone. He
sought the Father’s will in solitude, especially before major decisions or moments
of trial. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He poured out His heart in private prayer,
showing us that even in our most anguished and uncertain moments, God meets
us personally and powerfully.
In Mark 1:35, we read that Jesus rose early in the morning, while it was still dark,
and went to a solitary place to pray. Despite the demands of His growing
ministry, He prioritized intimate time with the Father. This moment reveals that
even the Son of God needed quiet communion with God. His example shows us
the importance of withdrawing from the noise to seek strength, guidance, and
clarity in prayer.
We all have trusted friends, or mentors we turn to for advice and rightly so. But
Jesus’ pattern reminds us that the first voice we should seek is the Father’s. God
sees what we don’t and offers perfect wisdom. While human counsel is valuable,
nothing can replace the peace and perspective that come from time spent in the
presence of God.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to rush from one conversation or decision to the next
without slowing down. Mark 1:35 challenges us to carve out quiet, undistracted
time to be alone with God. Praying in private isn’t just a spiritual discipline, it’s a
lifeline. When we meet with the Father in secret, we are grounded, renewed, and
equipped to live wisely.
In a culture that praises self-sufficiency and independence, turning to God in
prayer can seem weak. The more we practice seeking Him in prayer, the more we
will find that His wisdom is not only available but deeply personal and
profoundly trustworthy.
So, while there is value in human counsel, let it never replace the priority of
divine counsel. Seek the One who knows you completely, knows all things, and
loves you beyond comprehension. In the quiet place of private prayer, God offers

more than answers, He offers Himself. In His presence, we find the wisdom,
encouragement, and direction our soul truly need.
- Craig Hecht

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The Golden Rule

JCPenny is the name of a huge retail chain that for decades was one of the most
successful in this country. The man who started it all was James Cash Penney
(1875 – 1971). His father was a farmer, but also a preacher, who diligently taught
young James the basic virtues of honesty, hard work and thrift.
When Penney turned 8 years old his father told him he needed to work and earn
his own clothes. He ran errands, grew watermelons and by age twelve had
progressed to buying pigs to fatten and sell. When neighbors complained about
the smell he sold the pigs before they were fully ready for market.
His father had always taught him to live by Jesus’ golden rule: “Whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” - Matt 7:12
Years later the manager of one of Penny’s stores told about the time Mr. Penny
came for an inspection and wound up rebuking him for setting his prices too
high! Can you imagine something like that happening today?
If you ever get a chance you might enjoy reading J. C. Penny’s autobiography. It’s
entitled Fifty Years with the Golden Rule.
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Think of three things: whence you came,
where you are going,
and to Whom you must give account.
- Poor Richard’s Almanac

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It is not wrong for a man to possess wealth,
but it is wrong for wealth to possess a man.

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