THE SECRET/SACRED PLACE, PART 6

But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. Matthew 6:6 (Amp)

This instruction from Jesus is specific, to wit:

1. Make yourself available(WHEN you pray).

2. Go into a place away by yourself.

3. Shut off the things of this world.

4. Pray.

These are all active verbs and not ancient history like the Exodus! This is going into the physical realm of the most "Secret Place". Abba Father in Heaven, sees all and knows all and Jesus said that the Father will bless and reward us in obvious ways.

The Pharisees and many in today's "religious" templates LOVE to go make a public spectacle of themselves by being seen to be, well, religious or blatant in their "intercession". The Pharisees were in a class by themselves. They stood on street corners and kneeled down to make their prayer offering. That self-gratification in itself, was its own reward!

For us, who are called to be away from the world - physically and metaphorically - our reward will be transparent and apparent to all! We are rewarded with a life of true peace, joy and contentment. This is the "open" reward Jesus talks about. Many times, God blesses us in the material realm with the good things of the temporal.

The key in the so-called "prayer closet" is not to go in expecting anything except to fellowship with Christ and the Father and Him alone.

Next time: PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

(by Bernie Lutchman)