Thursday, September 29, 2016

September 30, 2016

"When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you." Matthew 6:6

"When you pray", Jesus said, "Don't pray to make a public spectacle but go into a private place an close the door."

First, you are to pray sincerely and second you are to pray secretly.

Why pray privately not publicly?

  • What if prayer is about not you being seen but about you seeing God?
  • What if prayer is not about making an impression about God but about being impressed by God?
  • What if not about being heard by God but more about hearing from God?
  • What if prayer is not about displaying your religion in public but about developing a personal relationship in private?
  • What about making sure you spend time kneeling in private before you spend any time standing in public.

Do you think Jesus had any of these things in mind when He instructed His followers "When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door"? 

Notice that Jesus didn't say, "Stay in that room alone with God forever and never come back out." He calls you into the world of darkness to be a light. It was Him Who prayed that you would be "In the world but not of the world?"

There is no doubt God calls you into the world to witness and serve and seek to reach the lost. BUT, first He calls you into a room to shut the door and be alone with Him.

"When you pray, pray secretly."