“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
“When Jesus taught on prayer, He gave primary emphasis to the secret place. In fact, the first thing He taught concerning prayer was the primacy of the secret place…Jesus is saying, ‘Your Father is already in the secret place. He has gone ahead of you; He is waiting for you. The moment you get to the secret place, you are in the immediate presence of your Father.’
”Furthermore, Jesus gives us the key to finding this secret place. If you’re wondering what you must do to place yourself in the secret place, Jesus made it clear. To get there, all you have to do is shut your door!
“When you enter your room, and shut your door, you are in the presence of your Father. Instantaneously! It matters not how you feel. Regardless of your soul’s climate at that moment, you know with absolute confidence you have stepped into the chamber of your Father in heaven. The secret place is your portal to the throne, the place where you taste of heaven itself.
“When you build your life on the blessed intimacy of a secret place relationship with God, you are building on the rock. You’re getting your foundations in order. That’s not simply my opinion, that’s the explicit teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who hear this word and do it will not only enjoy intimacy with the Father on a daily basis, but they will also be equipped to sustain the greatest storms—whether they originate from hell’s fury or the world’s distractions or the floodgates of heaven’s blessings.
“Don’t forget the secret: shut your door.”
MY PRAYER
“Oh Lord, I keep the door open too often and for too long. But I am learning that if I can only walk away from the tyranny of things demanding my attention, I will be walking right into Your attentive arms. I am tired from repeatedly failing but today—I arise from the ashes with a fresh resolve and fresh grace to shut off the noises and enter into the quiet recess where You are waiting for me. From today Lord, I commit afresh to enter in and close the door; to quieten my spirit and to enjoy the sweet communion that is waiting for me. I have been deceived for too long. I have been satisfied with too little and I have not closed the door to drink deeper. I say NO today to the crowded itinerary that keeps yelling for my attention. I say NO today. I say a BIG NO! I thank You Lord for the sweet invitation into the warm embrace of divinity, and from today—I look forward to sitting quietly with Your Word and Your Spirit. Amen.”
THE CHALLENGE
- Can you decide today to CLOSE THE DOOR to all the noise; not to pick up your phone, the newspaper, or any other “time stealer” until you have spent quality time with God?
- Can you earnestly and passionately pray for the grace to SAY NO to these liars who steal the blessings of meeting with God?
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