But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)
Let’s take time today to go to our inner room, close the door, and pray to our Father in secret. In the busyness of life, it’s easy to push our prayer life to the margins. But prayer is vital for deepening our connection to God. When we pray, we enter into intimate communion with our Creator.
Prayer is not simply reciting requests or repeating memorized words. True prayer engages our mind, heart, and spirit. It’s an act of fully focusing on God – acknowledging His presence within and around us. We quiet our thoughts, let go of distractions, and open our inner being to receive His peace, wisdom, and guidance.
As we pray, we can share our honest thoughts and feelings with God. We can cry out in despair, grieve our losses, confess our shortcomings. Or we can voice gratitude, ask for help or insight, and praise Him for His goodness. God already knows our hearts, yet He invites us to freely express ourselves. Through prayer, we cast our cares upon the Lord, knowing He hears us and responds in His perfect way and timing.
Prayer also requires listening. When we still our mind and spirit, we make room to hear God’s gentle voice. His words may come as scripture that suddenly surfaces in our memory, an impression that guides our thoughts, or simply a sense of His presence reassuring us. Regular prayer helps us recognize God’s voice and discern His direction for our life.
Father, we desire to deepen our relationship with You. Help us regularly practice heartfelt prayer. Quiet our distracted thoughts, so we can focus completely on Your loving presence. Speak to us, Lord. Reveal areas where we need to surrender and grow. Fill us with Your peace and wisdom, so we can walk in step with Your Spirit each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
