Go Into Your Room (Matthew 6:5-6)

The idea

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against praying to be seen. The religious leaders prayed for an audience, and the admiration of the crowd was all the reward they got. Jesus points instead to a private room and a Father who sees in secret. That doesn't mean you can only pray alone. Prayer in the car, with your spouse, or in a crowd all counts, and Scripture says to pray without ceasing. But private, undistracted prayer shows where your heart is, and it's where you get still enough to listen. Notice the wording: "when you pray," not "if." Prayer is assumed.

Take it with you

• Pray anywhere, all day, in short prayers before meetings and decisions.
• Set aside real time alone with the Father, with no agenda but Him.
• Don't turn frequency into a rule. That's between you and God.

Reflect

When did you last pray alone with the door closed, and what would you need to clear out to make room for it?