06/04/2021
Are our prayers private conversations with God, or are they like public meetings, and announcements, performed as if we were politicians who must hold every discussion in a public place? Praying in secret is more than just keeping our faith hidden from the world, it is maintaining it as a private relationship with God that is not lived in public so that we would receive accolades from others; no, we are meant to please God alone. If those about us say “look at this man who shows little faith!”, and they say this because they are not privy to our quiet prayers and personal relationship with God, then count this as a blessing.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 ESV
Our relationship with God is much like the very personal one we have with our spouse, it is meant to be private, and kept safe from prying eyes. Intimacy is a closeness between s couple that is born from time spent opening yourselves up to each other. Our innermost lives, that we guard against the world, are only shared with those we trust, and love deeply. At its pentacle the dividing line between us falls away and we become as one. We read this in the Bible about marriage, and we are also told that the Church is the chosen bride of Christ, the Word uses this analogy to draw on the same sense of intimacy, and deeply personal relationship that we know of in our earthly lives. We read this in Genesis about our marriages…
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”
Genesis 2:24-25 ESV
And we hear it again in Ephesians as Paul tells us about the relationship the Church has with Jesus…
“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.””
Ephesians 5:29-31 ESV
Our personal relationship, and intimacy, makes us one flesh with our spouse, and this is made real to us in private places, and by employing very intimate conversations, and actions, as we reveal our private desires, and selves to one another. The same is true, and can be said, of our relationship with Jesus, and God. We are meant to love, and grow in our spiritual relationship with them in a way that is divinely personal. Is this what we are fostering in our prayer closets, and how we live our spiritual lives?
““Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-4 ESV
Our faith, and salvation are not group activities meant to be entered into with the world, or even as it watches on. Jesus taught groups, but their salvation, like His calling, came to each person individually. Our salvation is something incredibly personal, and not of this world. We pray as if walking a bridge to heaven, where we accept God, and Jesus, first and foremost through an outpouring of faith from our innermost spirit.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
So it is that in our secret places, by our secret prayers, and deep within the recesses of our spiritual selves, where no one can see but God, we enter into relationship with Him. There is nothing that we can do before men, or that the world can add to, which will bring us a smidgen closer to the divine. We are saved by grace, and not man’s perception, or by our good works. On the day of judgement no man, and not even our own arguments, will contribute an iota to the weighing of our souls. Are we entering into the secret places of faith?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the intimate relationship we have with you, and your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for telling us to withdraw from the world as we pray, and as we do your will. Thank you for all the works we perform in secret, and just to please you. Let us be of single purpose in our lives as we worship and serve you. Let there be no confusion as to where our loyalty lies, and with whom we desire to be of one flesh. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who’s grace is sufficient. Praised be your name as we seek you, and as you reveal yourself to us. Help us Lord to see that the world has no say in our salvation, and cannot add a minute to our lives, or a moment of righteousness to our faith. Merciful are you who gives us faith as a gift, your Son as a redeemer, your Holy Spirit as our comforter, and the quiet places where we can meet with you in our intimate moments of conversation, and togetherness. In the blood of Jesus, and the privacy of our togetherness, wash us clean of our sins Father, and pronounce us worthy in Him. Lift us up before the heavenly host, and call out our name from the Lamb’s book of life. Pronounce us to be your children, the church to be the bride of Christ, and us to be pleasing in your sight. This is our reward, not the praise of men, or the acceptance of the world. In your loving eyes we find our peace forevermore.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:6-8 ESV
Rich Forbes