"[4] James Christopher Monger of Allmusic rated the album four stars, noting "Groves' penchant for capturing the cathartic weight of intimate moments is on full display here, and her winning melodies and effortless delivery only help to the sweeten the pot.

"[7] Mark Sherwood of Cross Rhythms rated the album eight out of ten squares, writing that "'Invisible Empires' didn't instantly hit me and took time to grow but the more you listen to these finely crafted songs the better they become.

"[9] Kim Jones of About.com rated the album four-and-a-half stars, commenting that "The beauty of it is that she does it in a such a delicate manner that it takes more than one listen to really understand the true depth of the mine she just dug in your heart.

"[11] The Phantom Tollbooth's Bert Saraco rated it four tocks, and felt that "In a day when every other artist is playing with auto-tuning and sampled sounds Sara Groves has once again delivered an album of music for, and by, human beings.

"[12] Michael Dalton of The Phantom Tollbooth rated it four tocks, noting that the music is "appealing" because of the deep spiritual "depths" it plunges into, which writing that "Groves has not labored in vain", and stating that we should "Listen and be in awe of what God can do with an open hand and heart.