Matthew 6:5-15
Verse 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
When Jesus told His followers to go into their room and close their door to pray it wasn’t saying that is the only place private prayer can be done. His disciples would soon find how Jesus would go off to a mountain to pray sometimes. This word from the Lord is more about the heart of praying and not so much about the place of that prayer.
While the hypocrites we going out and praying out loud in public, Jesus was wanting His followers to understand the personal nature of prayer. He wanted them, and us, to understand the importance of meeting with the Father without distraction from the day to day activities and from others around us. We must recognize He was not speaking against corporate prayer such as the congregational prayer or prayer meetings, He was simply discussing our personal prayer times.
Jesus knew if we want to really communicate with the Father, we need to tear ourselves apart from the things which will easily take our attention away from Him. It is harder to hear from Him if we are also listening to the kids arguing in the background. Getting alone with God is another way we show Him how important He is to us.
So what does this locking ourselves away look like? To be honest it may look different for each of us. Some may have a special spot in their home set aside for getting alone with God, others like to be out sitting in nature where they feel closer to God. He doesn’t tell us where we have to meet with God, just that we need to. We have to be intentional about the time, place and even our heart as we go in to meet with Him.
These times of being alone with God will help us come to know Him on a more personal level, learning to listen for His guidance and to really open our hearts in repentance and faith. Just as we need to learn to communicate effectively with those we do life with, we need to come to trust God to hold the truths of our hearts.
Making It Personal
Where do you prefer to spend time with God alone? Why is that your choice? Do you frequent that place?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you have times where you pray when you are by yourself? Is there a special quiet place you like to go to pray? Why is it good for you to talk to Jesus by yourself?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent of the times we have ignored coming to spend time alone with You. Give us hearts which long to meet with You regularly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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