Reserving Space

Choosing a time, place & plan for sitting with God.

In a world constantly vying for your attention, just finding the time to sit with God in a meaningful manner can feel overwhelming.

For one thing, you probably have what feels like a pretty packed schedule. My poor wife came down with pneumonia last week. For four straight days, she could barely move between the sofa and our bed. That meant the usual ways we divide and conquer all the daily responsibilities fell to me alone. It felt like there was something to do from the moment I woke until I laid down to go to sleep. The truth is, this is how most days feel, regardless of special circumstances like sickness.

Our lives are also plagued by distractions. You’re probably at least somewhat aware of how your phone’s dopamine-driven rewards keep you hooked. Dopamine, a brain chemical that makes us feel good, is released when we experience rewards. Checking social media or getting notifications triggers a quick dopamine hit, making you want to use your phone more. This is because the rewards from our phones are unpredictable, like slot machines, keeping us hooked. Over time, relying on these quick boosts can lead to anxiety and make it hard to focus on other things.

Just the realities of our over-scheduled lives and the distractions posed by our devices are enough to keep us from ever feeling like we have the time to sit with God.

Persistent In Prayer.

The Apostle Paul strikes me as having been a busy man. While he didn’t have to deal with the modern-day distractions of text messages, mobile gaming, and the adorable animal reels that we do, he had multiple jobs, relationships, and responsibilities all competing for his attention.

These competing priorities probably have something to do with why he encouraged the Christians living in Rome to “Be persistent in prayer…” (Romans 12:12).

That word “persistent” comes from the Greek word “proskartereo.” It means to persevere in some activity or cause to the point of devotion. Another dictionary defines it as “to attend to constantly.”^{⁠ ¹} Paul knew that sitting with God in prayer required intentional devotion. If that was true in a world without TikTok, it is certainly true in a world with it.

Reserving Space.

The truth is, your life is kind of like a busy restaurant. Every table is full and there a line out the door and sometimes wrapped around the building. The idea you just walk in and get a table at a place that that is foolish. You need a reservation. A reservation holds space in an otherwise crowded place.

The same thing is true when it comes to sitting with God. You have to reserve space. That means more than praying if you happen upon the time. In an increasingly hurried world, we rarely “happen upon” free time. Instead, we have to reserve space by pre-determining when, where, and how this practice will happen in our lives - you need a time, a place, and a plan.

Choose a Time.

I don’t know when the last time you made a restaurant reservation was, but they’re pretty insistent you pick a specific time that you will be there. It’s not like you get call and say, “I’ll be there at some point on Thursday if I can make it.” You have to reserve a specific time.

The truth is, everyone I’ve ever met that has a deep relationship with God has to do the same - we have to reserve specific time to be with Him.

The good news is, there is not right, or wrong time. There is only the time that works for you on a consistent basis. That might be first thing in the morning. It may be during a lunch break. Maybe it’s after your kids go down for a nap, or leave school. You may be most attentive just before bed.

Choose any time that you can be available, open, and attentive to being with God.

Choose a Place.

This is probably the most fundamental part of placing a reservation. You have to decide where you want to go eat.

And far more than we often realize, the “place” where we spend time with God significantly impacts our experience of His presence. Ideally, spaces marked by quiet and some semblance of solitude are ideal. You want a place that isn’t filled with the distractions that steal our attention. But don’t be deterred if you don’t have a perfect place to sit with God.

Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, was no stranger to being busy. She had 19 children! I have three and oftentimes our home feels like a circus. If you have 19 children you’re pretty much mayor of your own small town.

Despite all this, she was known for her deep faith and commitment to prayer, often finding creative ways to connect with God amidst her busy household. The story goes that when she needed a quiet moment for prayer and reflection, she would sit on a bucket in the kitchen and place her apron over her head. This simple act signaled to her children that she was in prayer and needed that time alone with God.

My point is, you don’t have to build a prayer chapel in your backyard.

Whether it’s a quiet corner in your home, a park, or a church, having a specific place helps you establish a routine and deepen your relationship with God, making your prayer time more intentional and meaningful.

Choose a Plan.

When it comes to sitting with God, I find the absence of a plan makes me anxious. That’s not to say that I’m a slave to it. It just helps me to sit down knowing I have a general structure to how I want to invest that time. Oftentimes, the Spirit takes my plan in a totally different direction. But I still think it’s important to have a plan.

So consider the time you have and how you can use it in the manner that will be most fruitful for you. There are so many different ways to incorporate Scripture, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Some of the adventure of life with God is experimenting with spiritual practices until you find ones that most resonate with you. If you’re really uncertain where to start, consider seeking counsel from a friend, pastor, or spiritual director.

How I sit with God has changed drastically since I was a little kid trying to read through the entire Bible. The one thing that has held consistent is that I’ve always tried to have a plan.

As you think through your time, place, and plan, here’s an important truth to keep front of mind: There’s not really a right or wrong. There’s only what works for you. Don’t be discouraged if what you’re doing right now isn’t working. That only means that God is inviting you to something fresh. Don’t get so entrenched in what you’re doing right now that you miss a chance to try something new. Don’t get frustrated if something you try doesn’t work. Relationships are a process. There is trial and error. Even in our relationship with God.

I know you’re busy.

Maybe you feel “like butter spread too thin over too much bread.”²

Maybe it feels like your mind is moving a mile a minute.

Maybe slowing down only makes it worse.

Be gentle with yourself.

It might take a minute to figure this all out. Trying to fight against cultural norms that overextend us and companies that exploit your brain chemistry isn’t going to be easy.

But devote yourself to reserving space to sit with God. Because He is always ready and waiting to sit with you.

1. Thomas, R. L. (1998). In New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Foundation Publications, Inc.

2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954), 86.