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Christ’s Expectations for Prayer
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. "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 6:5-6 NKJV)
Christ teaches us that the place where we should pray is our closet or room. He does not mean that literally, like a closet or room is anything holy, but a place of humility.
We are to guard ourselves from praying like the hypocrites who loved to pray to be seen by men. They did this because a high position in the synagogue was a high position in society. Therefore, pride motivated there prayer instead of dependency and worship.
When we pray in secret, we can be sure; we are not motivated by pride. For this God has promised to reward us openly. He will not hesitate to make a show of His grace to the one who humbles himself and seeks the Father’s face.
This does not prohibit public prayer, but we are not to pray for show. If you are one who often prays in public because of your situation in life, do your best to focus on God; and not what people are thinking of your prayer. Prayer is talking to God not a demonstration of elocution.
On the balance, there are times when a prayer, even a written prayer, may be edifying. When prayer leads those who are listening and agreeing to worship God, and to get caught up in His majesty, this is good and acceptable. Again, the motivation here is not to show off, but to lead others into the presence of God by echoing His glory.
Can you remember those times when God came and talked to you as if He sat across the table from you? Go into your secret room often and you will find Him there again.
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known--C. Austin Mile