We continue on in The Path of Prayer this week as we look at the idea of praying in secret.

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6, NASB)

In this passage, Jesus gives instructions on prayer:

• There should be a place of prayer. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room …” It is true that prayer can occur anywhere, but an established setting helps us to focus on what we have come to do, pray.

“It was His [Jesus] habit to withdraw into a solitary place to pray. He needed the fenced spaces of silence.” (Samuel Chadwick, page 12)

• Prayer should be private. “… close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret …” Jesus is teaching that while corporate prayer is needed, most of our prayers should be done privately. It is as we are alone in prayer that we drop the pretenses and pray with an authenticity of soul.

“Prayer is between the soul and God alone.” (Samuel Chadwick, page 12)

I hope you will join me at Woman to Woman Ministries HERE as I share the third point which is the outcome of the place and privacy of prayer.

Photo by Christian Kielberg on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Inspire Me Monday and Remember Me Monday .