Private Prayer

There are some things that everyone knows that they need to do but so many times they lack the knowledge to get it done. In those situations, they look for help from someone who has experience in that field. So if we need help in prayer, we can go to the word of God.

Jesus was teaching about prayer in Matthew 6, and He gave some instructions on how to begin. “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 tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.” Verse 5.Prayer is not about making a public show; if that is your approach, then the crowd is the only reward you will get.

So how should you approach your time in prayer? Jesus said, “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”  Verse 6. Personal prayer requires privacy. One day, Jesus met a man whose daughter was sick. He went to Jairus’ house to attend to the girl. When He arrived, there were people causing a big commotion; He told them the child is not dead, but sleeping. “The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.” Verse 40.When the crowd left, Jesus took the girl by the hand and she woke up. Jesus chose to answer the prayer of her father, privately.

Elijah also chose to seclude himself when the widow’s son died. Elijah met the widow during the famine; she was about to prepare the final meal for them to eat. When she obeyed the word of the Lord through Elijah, she and her son survived the famine. However, he died later. When Elijah heard this, he took the child to his room and prayed to God. “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 1 Kings 17:20-21. God heard Elijah’s prayer and the child was restored. God does not change; He will answer your private prayer and reward you openly.

Thought for Today: Friend, pray in your private place.