The Prayer Closet
Let's dig a little deeper into God’s word to see how we can tap into the
power of God through prayer. Jesus gives us
another perfect example of how we are to go to prayer. Who better to show us
the way than the Son of God himself.
 Matthew 6:5-6 5and when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you,
they have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet,
and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Are we literally to go into a closet and shut the door? Yes! If that is
the only place you can be alone. I think there are two points that can be made
here. First, our prayers are to be to God and not to impress others with our
piety. If we are praying only to gain the respect and admiration of others then
we have already earned our reward. Second, when we go to prayer we want to do
away with any distraction or interruption so our focus can be on God. When our
focus is on God we will listen for His voice. Never heard God’s voice you say -
let’s see what the Apostle John has to say about it.
John 14:26 but the comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you.
The Apostle Paul also has a word or two about the subject as well:
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
I know you've heard we are to pray in the spirit, which is why I say it
is so important to go somewhere we will not be distracted. It doesn’t have to be
in a closet as long as we can spend time alone with God so the Holy Spirit can
teach us and bring to our remembrance the things Jesus taught, the things of
God.
My study Bible has this to say: Prayer is not man’s attempt to change the
will of God. Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance to answer, but laying
hold of His willingness to help. Prayer in the life of the true believer is an
act of total confidence and assurance in the plan and purpose of God.
 Picture compliments of Soup Art
Matthew 6:7-8 7but when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as
the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye
have need of, before ye ask Him.
If He already knows, then why pray? If you have children then you want to
spend time with them. You may know what they need but in listening and
interacting with them when they come to you, you build a relationship. A bond
of love grows through that interacting. God may, through His omniscience, already
know what happened yesterday and what will happen tomorrow but He still wants to
build that bond, that love relationship with you. We are His children, the work
of His hands, the work of His heart and He longs to hold you in His arms and
love you. If you've ever lost a child or had a child move far away where you
don’t get to see them then you know what that feels like. Prayer should be an
intimate time building a relationship with your Father. If yours is not please
go back to my previous Devotions 1,2 & 3 and re-read them and then stay tuned, for God
has laid much more on my heart about prayer that he wants me to share with you
as you learn to “Walk by Faith.”
Bob Goulding © August 2006
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