June 4: Secret Prayer

June 4: Secret Prayer

Chapter 4

Scripture Theme: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6

When was the last time you locked the world out to be completely alone with your Heavenly Father?

Public prayers and corporate worship are wonderful, but they can never replace the raw honesty of private devotion. Secret prayer is the spiritual lifeblood where the deepest victories of the soul are won or lost.

Without a thriving, private prayer life, our public spiritual actions quickly become an empty performance. We find ourselves lacking real spiritual power, easily shaken by trials, and constantly vulnerable to secret sins.

The inner chamber of prayer is our vital defense against the adversary: "Secret prayer is the life of the soul. With a heart open to the inspection of the eye of God, we should draw near to Him... Oh, how Satan triumphs when he sees the people of God neglecting secret prayer!" (*Our High Calling*, p. 130).

Exegesis of Christ's personal prayer habits shows that private communication with God is the foundational source of spiritual power. A disciple’s public usefulness is entirely dependent on their private reliance upon the Father.

Reflection Question 1: If your public spiritual life was a direct reflection of your secret prayer life, how vibrant would your faith appear to others?
 
Reflection Question 2:  What specific time and distraction-free place can you set aside today to meet completely alone with God?