Intimacy With God Doesn’t Happen Accidentally
Jeanine Amapola Ward
Author of The Abiding Way
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35, ESV).
The house was finally silent for the first time in a while. My husband was away on a trip, and my 1-year-old was sound asleep. It was 9:30 p.m., and I almost didn’t know what to do with myself.
Do I watch a show? Do laundry? Read? Sleep?
For the first time in a year, I had finally slowed down enough to feel how much I had been missing intimacy with the Lord, and my soul felt dry. I was a new mom, a law student’s wife, and a business owner. I was struggling to find time with Jesus.
That night, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit: Spend time with Me. So I got off the couch, opened my Bible, journaled, and prayed. I felt life return to my body. It was the recharge my soul desperately needed. No wonder Jesus did this so often, I thought.
Jesus constantly sought connection with His Father, withdrawing to lonely places to pray: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). In this verse, we see He rose before sunrise, before everyone was awake. He sacrificed sleep because those early hours likely provided one of the few uninterrupted moments away from the disciples and crowds who constantly surrounded Him.
I’m not sure if Jesus was a morning person (I’m definitely not!), but I do know waking up before the sun isn’t easy. This verse convicted me because if the Son of God — with far greater demands than I have — made time to be alone with the Father, why can’t I?
I often make excuses: I’m too busy, too tired. I have to take care of my son. But if we’re called to model our lives after Jesus, then we too desperately need uninterrupted time with our Father. It will require sacrifice. There will always be dishes, appointments, and sleep to catch up on. But if our souls feel empty, nothing else matters more.
Spending time with God is an act of obedience, and obedience often costs something, but it’s always worth it. Satan wants us distracted and distant from God because he knows that apart from Him, we wither. Intimacy with God has power!
I’m so glad I turned off the TV that night and went to my secret place with Jesus. It was far more rewarding than any Netflix show could ever be.
Friend, if your soul feels weary or distant, I encourage you to remove the distractions and seek the Father often. Intimacy doesn’t happen by accident. It grows in a heart that consistently seeks to love Him rather than simply check a box. Intimacy with God is to be known by Him and to know Him deeper. Nothing compares to being with Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You are never far from me. Help me remove the distractions that keep me from spending time with You and grow deeper in my love for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you want to spend more time in God’s Word but aren’t sure where to start, The Abiding Way is a 40-day devotional through the Gospel of John designed to help you know Jesus more deeply. Each day includes a personal story, Bible study, reflection questions, key takeaways, and a reading plan to help you grow in your faith. Whether you’re feeling stuck or simply want to draw closer to Christ, I pray this devotional encourages you. Check out The Abiding Way.
ENGAGE
Connect daily with Jeanine for biblical and fun encouragement on Instagram @JeanineAmapola! And don’t miss Jeanine's weekly podcast, Happy and Healthy, every Tuesday and Friday.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of The Abiding Way by Jeanine Amapola Ward. To celebrate this book, Jeanine’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, November 2, 2026.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (NIV).
What distractions are keeping you from spending time with God? What sacrifice can you make this week to prioritize intimacy with Him?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
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