Private Prayer

Today's reading is from Matthew 6:5-6. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

When I first read this I was thinking more on the lines of praying for show vs. praying for meaning. After some time, I have moved to praying quiet time as the theme to this lesson. As you go about your busy day from one task to another, how much time do you spend listening to God? Truly listening to the creator of the universe tell you what He wants for you in your life? I challenge you today to think about a time that you have done this or carve out some time to have an intimate prayer time with the creator of the universe, your Father in Heaven.

LORD, my heart longs to hear your voice just as Jesus did. Help me to draw away from this frantic and busy world to be alone with you. Open my eyes to see what you want to show me, my ears to hear what you desire to tell me. Then and only then will I know what to pray in secret as I respond to your heart. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.