Shut The Door
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
We are often tempted to put our faith on display and show others how righteous and religious we are. I’m not talking about sharing our faith with others or shining our light, as Jesus taught us to do in Matthew 5:16. I’m talking about competing with our brother or sister in Christ or seeking affirmation from other believers when we should be seeking recognition from God.
Jesus made an incredible promise in Matthew 6 that the Father is ready to reward secret prayers. God is waiting for you in a hidden place where no one but you and him can access.
That is why Jesus teaches us to not just go to a secret place to pray but to shut the door.
Close off all other access points. Make sure that when you enter into a place of prayer, you leave all other options behind. Ensure that no one else will witness what happens between you and the Lord as you seek him.
Of course, we will not always be able to go into a physical room and shut the door. Jesus is also talking about a spiritual posture required to engage with God in the secret place. He reminds us that the power of intimacy is measured in the closeness and exclusiveness of a relationship. Public prayers are good for making disciples, preparing the bride for Christ’s return, and engaging in the corporate ministries of prayer and worship, but they are not the same as the secret place.
No measure of public ministry success can make up for hidden ministry failures. Jesus knew this at a deep level. Jacob reminded us last week that Jesus modeled this ministry of secret place prayer. He consistently went away to pray, and when he did, he closed the spiritual door behind him to commune with his Father.
Today you are invited to seek the Lord in a secret place. I’m asking the Lord to highlight the value of knowing him in the hidden places of prayer.
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