But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:6 NKJV) "When you pray..."—vv. 5-7. It means you will pray and it will be a lifestyle and character, not just a one-time prayer. It’s private "...go into your room, close the door and pray...." Prayer should be done in secret, so find a place out of the limelight. The word "closet" or "room" means a storeroom where treasures might be kept. Do you have a secret place, a private place for prayer? That is where God releases the blessings. Where ideas are dropped into your mind. Go to the storehouse of God and obtain your goods, belongings. Where your needs will be met. Go to the storehouse of God with prayer request where there is abundance. Prayer should also be secure - "…close the door…" Prayers are not to be subtle attempts to impress. Private prayer instead purifies our motives. It’s personal "...pray to your Father..." When we shut out the eyes of men, we are shut in with God. A relationship is to be built with our Father. When we pray to our Father, honesty is possible. Let God hear your heart; unburden your heart. Cry before your Father. He alone sees the things happening to you. He is our Father. Be honest and talk to Him. He knows what what you are going through but He want you to invite Him into the situation. Remember when the disciples were in the boat with Jesus and the storm arose, Jesus did not say anything until He was invited to calm to storm. He is there with you. Speak to Him. Then notice what prayer does for us: It’s preparation v. 6—"…close the door…Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret." Public prayer and Christlike action is the result of private and meaningful talk with our Father; for example, Jesus was in the garden before He faced the crowds who crucified Him. Prayer prepares us for public action. Public life is to be preceded by communion with an invisible God—" ...who is unseen..." Private practice should precede public profession (Lk. l8:9-l4). It presents us with rewards—v. 6. The hypocrite’s reward is the fleeting attention of men, and goods that will deteriorate or be stolen—v. 19. The disciple’s reward, on the other hand, is the eternal attention of God. v. 6—"Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." It prompts a thoughtful/genuine approach to God and others—Matt. 6:7-8 The hypocrite thinks he will be heard and honored by men and God because of his many words—v. 7; Luke 20:46-47—but the Lord is not interested in long, religious prayers. He is concerned with correcting the hypocrite’s prayer. What does that say to us? God is not impressed with many unfocused words/prayers, or if we can somehow get many people to pray with us. Also, watch and pray—be cognizant of what is going on around you in your culture; your life; the life of others (e.g., the disciples with Jesus). Have you checked your life lately ? Do you like what is happening in your life? Watch your life and pray. Change your life with your Tongue. Calm the storm. Speak the Word of God into your life. The content of the disciple’s prayer is different—v. 8. Disciples can be confident their Father knows their needs. That brings up some questions: Why should we pray if God already knows what we need? Is it to inform God? Obviously not. Is it to convince God? No, He’s not moved by human wisdom or pressure. The answer to why we pray is: So we can receive—James 4:2. God won’t force His blessings, solutions, miracles or provisions on us. To adjust ourselves to God’s will and character, e.g., Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane—Matt. 26:36-45; James 4:3-10; 5:15b-16; 2 Cor. 12:7-9; 1 Kings 19:4-8. I declare to you that you will not die. God will provide for you. He will feed you. Your debt will be paid. That will not be your last meal. You are not spending your last. God want you to trust Him for your daily provisions. God will send you provisions through His angels. God will give you more than enough. To intercede for another who can’t or won’t pray —1 Tim. 2:l. When was the last time you prayed for that friend of yours who is going through trial? Do you take a telephone and discuss him. Present his case before God on his behalf. That is why God brought him into your life. Two are better than one. To confess our sin and receive His forgiveness —1 John l:9. To praise and thank Him for His goodness.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:01:52 +0000
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