Where do YOU go to be with God?

Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who [is] in the secret [place]; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." NKJV

Do you have a "secret place" to go to be alone with the Lord? Maybe a special spot for your daily devotionals or for when you really need to meditate and pray without distractions? Maybe it's a place in nature where you retreat to when you really need to leave the world behind and meet with God.

Growing up in Southern Baptist churches, this place was often called your "prayer closet." I always imagined actually being on your knees or huddled down with your Bible in the bottom of the closet...but now I think it's a lot more open-ended!

It seems to me that it's easier to make a daily time alone with God a habit when there's a specific spot you can go to, especially if it's "stocked" with your favorite tools. I like to imagine the Lord waiting for us in this spot, beckoning us to meet with Him so that He can speak to us and show us His truth through the Word. How irresistible!

My father, who was my pastor for many of my childhood years, uses his office every morning. He has incense, his favorite books and his prayer notebook at hand and has a view of the front yard from the window, providing a quiet, soothing space for his daily quiet time.

My mom has a corner of her bedroom that she retreats to every day and refers to as her "sacred space." It's a small Chinese table and a floor cushion where she keeps special candles, prayer reminder cards and favorite mementos from her spiritual journey. Seeing this spot every morning reminds her to take time to meet with the Lord, and all the tools she needs are easily accessible, leaving no room for excuses! She has a favorite incense, too, and says that when she smells its familiar scent, it helps her focus and tune out the rest of the world.

I have a favorite chair where I keep my prayer notebook, devotional books and Bible, but I find that spending time there is a rare treat, not a daily ritual. Plus, it's a challenge to have any time to myself, distraction-free.

So! Do you have a "secret place?" If so, tell us about it! Maybe those of us without one can get some ideas! :)