As we move through this season, one thing you will learn about me is that I reference Oswald Chambers a lot.
His writings in "My Utmost for His Highest" have helped develop my faith and character quite a bit. I was given the devotional by my old pastor when I graduated high school. When I had my devotions this morning, to my surprise today's topic was the secret place! Take a moment to hear what Oswald has to say about praying in secret:
September 16, 2009 -- Praying to God in Secret
When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place . . . —Matthew 6:6
"The primary thought in the area of religion is— keep your eyes on God, not on people. Your motivation should not be the desire to be known as a praying person. Find an inner room in which to pray where no one even knows you are praying, shut the door, and talk to God in secret. Have no motivation other than to know your Father in heaven. It is impossible to carry on your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer."When you pray, do not use vain repetitions . . ." ( Matthew 6:7 ). God does not hear us because we pray earnestly— He hears us solely on the basis of redemption. God is never impressed by our earnestness. Prayer is not simply getting things from God— that is only the most elementary kind of prayer. Prayer is coming into perfect fellowship and oneness with God. If the Son of God has been formed in us through regeneration (see Galatians 4:19 ), then He will continue to press on beyond our common sense and will change our attitude about the things for which we pray.
"Everyone who asks receives . . ." (Matthew 7:8 ). We pray religious nonsense without even involving our will, and then we say that God did not answer— but in reality we have never asked for anything. Jesus said, ". . . you will ask what you desire. . ." ( John 15:7 ). Asking means that our will must be involved. Whenever Jesus talked about prayer, He spoke with wonderful childlike simplicity. Then we respond with our critical attitude, saying, "Yes, but even Jesus said that we must ask." But remember that we have to ask things of God that are in keeping with the God whom Jesus Christ revealed."
(ref: http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/09/16/devotion.aspx?year=2009 )
I think the key here is that "prayer is coming into perfect fellowship and oneness with God." It is how Jesus kept His relationship to the Father strong, and how he began each day. Now GO, what are you waiting for, close the door and pray!
--Josh F
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