Secluded prayer

A few weeks ago I went to the beach to spend some time alone. I had just been talking to a friend about my future and needed to get some things clear in my head. It was a peaceful night without another soul in sight. During this time I was reminded of the following passage, Matthew 6:6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." It is a wonderful thing to experience, being surrounded by creation in all its fullness and experiencing God in it. It would be amazing if we could all find time like this regularly to spend with God, but inevitably life often gets in the way. But sometimes we need to remember that although God sent us out into the world we are set apart from it by him. Because he set us apart sometimes need to remove ourselves from the world to be with him. Even the best soldiers need time to rest and recuperate and for this reason God has given us prayer. I as much as anyone need to learn to use this fantastic gift so that we might do His work full of His spirit.