What’s their secret? How do I get to be a player like those in God’s ‘’Hall of Faith”? (Hebrews 11)  Is God still looking for people like those in the New and Old Testaments that we often think of as ‘heroes of the faith’? Would it ever be possible for God to use me for some special assignment He wants done, like these of old? If so, how will I know?

After walking with the Lord for almost forty years--sometimes closer than other times--and four years of practicing the prayer-habit of Moses, I think I have finally discovered “their secret.” It is identified in Exodus 33. There we find a twenty-first century person: 24/7. Yes, right there in the Bible is Moses, living like the majority of us here in the western culture; never lacking for something to do or someone needing something from him. But, in the midst of his overflowing PDA, Moses purposely made time to seek the Lord. The description given in Exodus 33:7-34:3 implies that his meeting with God was much more significant than what most of us experience in our daily “Quiet Time.”

I don’t know about you, but several years ago--while still “feeling good” about my daily Quiet Time--I began to have a desire for a closer/more intimate time with the Lord. Increasingly I recognized that I needed more direct interaction with God on vital matters of my family and the sports ministry (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) He had me leading in Texas. But, as aware of my desire and need for a Moses-type intimacy with God--and even the wooing invitation my spirit was feeling (that He also wanted such a meeting with me)--I consistently neglected any type of extended “up close and personal” time with God. I continuously justified my saying “No” to His invitation by reminding Him of how busy I was just trying to fulfill what He had already given me to do!  Although, I continued having my daily Quiet Time, this “hungering” for that extended, unfettered, and uninterrupted time with the King of kings and Lord of lords would not go away!

Now, I am excited to say, after finally responding obediently (four years ago) to the Father’s ever grace-filled calling and the Spirit’s wooing--to come away from my never-ending “to-do” list and meet with God for an extended and uninterrupted encounter--God has faithfully met with me “outside-the-camp” every time I show-up. I began purposely setting the time aside (4-5 days and nights alone; 2-3 times per year) on my calendar . . . in advance!! (This is my schedule, and He will be faithful to give you yours.) What He has done in and for and with me through these (I now call my “OTC”) meetings has been amazing!

From new revelations to conviction/cleansing, to creative visions and dreams, to personal affirmations and family/ministry confirmations, I always return home already anticipating my next “OTC” time with the Lord!

 During these “OTC” meetings--at a retreat site God has provided in East Texas--I focus completely upon Him and His Word: no TV, no computer, no phone calls (except nightly with my wife) and no e-mails. I enjoy one daily walk (sixty minutes) and what I call my “Dennis-fast”: one-meal per day (two peanut butter/jelly sandwiches) around 7 o’clock in the evening. (NOTE: Those of you near Terre Haute, IN., will definitely want to check out the inspiring retreat center overseen by Jon and Jolyn Graf. To check on availability: call 1-812-238-5504 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ; Harvest Prayer Center is located at11969 E. Davis Ave., Brazil, IN.)

Yes, I have discovered, those “Hall of Faith” heroes of the Bible had no real secret! What they had was an intimate relationship with God that motivated them to do whatever was needed to meet with Him for extended times that our modern day Quiet Time (too often, a ten minute devotional on-the-run out to the car and on to work) cannot provide.

How about you? Has the Holy Spirit been wooing you to come “outside-the-camp” to meet more intimately with Father God for an extended personal retreat time alone? Let me encourage you to start now! Don’t rationalize it away as I did and Satan would want. My deepest regret is that I didn’t start doing this when He first began inviting me 25 years ago. The rewards of obedience to Him always overshadow the required steps!

Interestingly, as I write this article, I am on the second day of my tenth “OTC” meeting. And what you are reading now is God’s answer to my prayer four days ago, when I said “Yes” to the invitation of Jon Graf, to begin writing an encouraging or instructive article each month for this Prayer Leader On-Line resource to CPLN members. Was I thankful for God’s prompt answer: Yes! Was I surprised: No! Because for these past four years, every time I have come aside from my regular daily activities for one of my “OTC” meetings, I found He was already there, awaiting my arrival; enthusiastically ready to listen and speak to me about things I did not know!! (Jeremiah 33:3)

The question is: Like King David and the Apostle Paul, how intimately do you want to know this King of kings and Lord of lords? How much more of Himself and His plans for you do you want Him to reveal? How much do you desire to truly be used in a significant way by God in His Kingdom work? Are you willing to go “outside-the-camp”? Why not put that “Divine Appointment” on your calendar right now!!

--Dennis Conner and his wife, Betty Jo are the member relations directors for the CPLN.