Jesus left the upper room with his disciples and, as was his habit, went to the Mount of Olives, his place of secret prayer.

- Luke 22:39

Where or what is your secret place of prayer? Is it a closet? Your bedroom? A bathroom? Your backyard? The gym?

Like Jesus, is your secret prayer place also the top of a mountain?

Whatever it is, notice how in this verse it does not say Jesus made a habit of climbing the mountain because He loved climbing mountains.

Jesus made it a habit to climb the Mount of Olives because He wanted to seek His Heavenly Father. Do you have this same habit as Jesus?

The push and pull of life can often cause us to forget that we have the privilege to commune and pursue a personal relationship with the King of Kings.

When we look at the life of Jesus, we can see how He understood the value and importance of making it a habit to meet with His Father.

The truth is, we need God more than we need oxygen. He is our lifeline. Even if early mornings with the Lord aren’t suitable for you, other times of the day work too.

There is no religious formula on when we should spend time with the Lord. What matters is that at some point during our day, we each intentionally carve out that time and 100% dedicate it to Him.

No distractions, no social obligations, nothing but you and God.

Quiet time and private places are a must-have in any kind of intimate relationship. In the same way, your relationship with God is no different.

Today, make it a point to seek out your Heavenly Father in a secret place of prayer. The more you make it a habit, the less it will feel like a sacrifice and the less your flesh will resist. Before you know it, you will form a holy addiction to your time with the Lord. Your heart will burn for His nearness, as His presence transforms you!

With Love,
Sarah Sherstad

As you reflect on Luke 22:39, use your Personalized Scripture Journal as your place of surrender.

Before the cross, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives — His usual place of prayer. In His most difficult hour, He did what He had always done: He drew near to the Father.

Write through these prompts:

• Where do I go when I feel overwhelmed?
• Do I have a consistent place of prayer?
• What difficult situation do I need to bring honestly before God?
• Am I avoiding prayer in hard seasons?
• How can I build a habit of turning to Him first?

After reflecting, write a direct and personal prayer.

Bring Him your fear.
Bring Him your uncertainty.
Bring Him your surrender.

Relationship with God grows strongest when you turn toward Him in hardship instead of away from Him. Your journal becomes a record of moments where you chose closeness in difficulty.

Over time, you will see that strength is built not by avoiding struggle, but by walking through it with Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Luke 22:39 mean?
It shows Jesus going to His regular place of prayer before facing suffering.

Why is this moment significant?
Because it reveals that even in distress, Jesus sought the Father.

How can I follow this example?
By developing consistent prayer habits and turning to God in difficulty.

Does prayer remove hardship?
Not always. But it strengthens you to endure with peace.

How does journaling help in hard seasons?
Writing helps process fear and turn it into surrendered trust.

How does this verse build a personal relationship with God?
It teaches that intimacy grows through consistency — especially in moments of pain and surrender.