It was my practice to rise at midnight for worship. God came to me at that precise time and awoke me from sleep that I might enjoy Him. He seemed to pervade my being. My soul became more and more attracted to Him like the waters of a river which pass into the ocean and after a time become one with it. Oh, unutterable happiness! Who could have thought that one should ever find happiness equal to this!

Hours passed like moments, when I could do nothing else but pray. It was a prayer of rejoicing, of possession, when the taste of God was so great, so pure, so unblended that it drew and absorbed the soul into a profound state of confiding and affectionate rest in God, without intellectual effort, for I had no sight but of Jesus only. MADAME GUYON

A moment in the morning ere the cares of the day begin, Ere the heart’s wide door is open for the world to enter in; Ah, then, alone with Jesus, in the silence of the morn, In heavenly sweet communion, let your happy day be born; In the quietude that blesses with a prelude of repose, Let your soul be soothed and softened as the dew revives the rose.

Two men were confessing to each other the causes of their failure in the ministry. “I let my hand slip out of God’s hand,” said one. The other said, “My soul-life raveled at the point where I ceased to pray, because there were things in my life I could not speak to God about.” Prayer is a handclasp with God.

Take time for prayer if you have to take it by violence. Take time to behold Him!

One of the blessings of the old-time Sabbath day was the calmness, restfulness, and holy peace that came from having a time of quiet solitude away from the world.

There is a special strength that is born in solitude.

Crows travel in flocks, and wolves in packs, but the lion and the eagle are usually found alone.

Strength is found not in busyness and noise but in quietness.

For a lake to reflect the heavens on its surface, it must be calm.

Our Lord loved the people who flocked to Him, but there are numerous accounts in the Scriptures of His going away from them for a brief period of time.

On occasion He would withdraw from the crowd and quite often would spend His evenings alone in the hills.

Most of His ministry was performed in the towns and cities by the seashore, but He loved the hills more and at nightfall would frequently seclude Himself in their peaceful heights.

The one thing we need today more than anything else is to spend time alone with our Lord, sitting at His feet in the sacred privacy of His blessed presence.

Oh, how we need to reclaim the lost art of meditation!

Oh, how we need “the secret place” (Psalm 91:1 KJV) as part of our lifestyle!

Oh, how we need the power that comes from waiting upon God!

It is good to live in the valley sweet, Where the work of the world is done, Where the reapers sing in the fields of wheat, And work till the setting of the sun.

But beyond the meadows, the hills I see Where the noises of traffic cease, And I follow a Voice who calls out to me From the hilltop regions of peace.

Yes, to live is sweet in the valley fair, And work till the setting of the sun; But my spirit yearns for the hilltop’s air When the day and its work are done.

For a Presence breathes o’er the silent hills, And its sweetness is living yet; The same deep calm all the hillside fills, As breathed over Olivet.

Every life that desires to be strong must have its “Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33) into which only God enters.

Lord , thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.—He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.—His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Your life is hid with Christ in God.—He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.—Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord . The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.—God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear.

Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.—Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.—I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Forasmuch . . . as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.—The man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts.—I and my Father are one.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.—There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.—The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.—Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble.—Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.