Sacred Secrecy

Sorry for being so behind. I went away for the weekend and ended up not having internet, as I originally thought I would. So I will be updating 2 entries a day for the next few days to get caught up. Sorry for any inconvenience. Love you, all!

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Text

" 'But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.' " —Matthew 6:6

Bible Reading

MATTHEW 6:5-15

Devotional

Jesus stressed secrecy when he taught us how to give money. In the case of prayer, he is just as emphatic. It's a matter between God and the one who is praying: "Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen, but who sees what is done in secret."

Public and communal prayers have a place in Christian living. This the Bible clearly shows us. And there can be great beauty and encouragement when many are united in a prayer uttered by one. But anyone who has led in such prayers also knows about the pitfalls. The one who is praying must be heard by those for whom he is praying. The danger is great that he thinks more about the audience on earth than the audience in heaven.

Prayer is first and last a secret matter. It is talking with the Father who is in the secret place, the Father who sees the secrets of our lives. We cannot be Christians unless we have private prayers.

Every life has a private side. Our respect for persons includes respect for their right to privacy.

The worldly attack on privacy continues in full strength. On television you see and hear interviewers who have no consideration for the honor and privacy of the person they are questioning. Certain magazines and Internet sites do nothing but pry into the private lives of well-known people. This kind of journalism sells well because it gives people an obscene pleasure to get into the private lives of public figures. They always hope that the private side is a shady side. But couldn't the private side of a person's life be the sacred side?

Privacy is also under attack in the church. People are made to think they have to share the most private elements of their spiritual existence. This promotes neither faith nor honesty. Jesus' words are sobering. Close the door, and speak secretly to your Father. Have no other audience than God.

REFLECTION

What opportunities do you have in your day for private prayer? If you don't have a regular time set aside for private prayer, make a plan to include it each day.

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Like I mentioned a few entries back, I'm convicted and need to pray more. This furthers my desire to get alone with my Lord each day and just speak to Him as if I were speaking to my husband. The privacy that we are called to have when praying, is an essential thing in our walk with the Lord. There are several areas of our lives where we are the showcases or in the limelight - and some of that may even be our spiritual walk. But its important to have those moments where you can have some real and genuine one on one time with the Lord.

Some of my most intimate and stirring prayers have been when I'm alone and I'm just opening up my heart to the Lord. I don't want to make this seem mystical or anything but when you're able to willingly open your heart up to the depths of your heart, it makes the experience with God even more intense. God already knows whats in our hearts and minds, but as He has called us to Himself, we are to be open and real with Him. Its futile to try and hold things back from the one who created you!

My times of quiet prayer is non-existent still. Unfortunately. I do have spurts of time to myself where I can pray and talk to God about what I'm feeling and how I'm doing. But they are not moments that are just me and Him. I'm usually doing something else like watching the babies at work, sitting in the room with my husband, or at the gym. I need to be diligent in setting some time alone for me and the Lord. Realistically, the best time for me to do that would be before work when Bud's asleep, the animals are not roaming around and demanding my attention and when I'm all to myself. The problem is, that will take a lot of discipline that I'm currently afraid to commit too, as I'd have to wake up earlier than I do currently. Thats always difficult for me.

Instead of focusing on that, I need to remind myself that I will be blessed for having these times with the Lord and the time of waking up will not be a drag, it will turn into something I look forward too and and enjoy! Lord, Help me to look to you and spend time with you and only You, everyday. Amen. I hope you all have some time set apart each day for you and God - if not, find a time each day where you can commit to prayer and devotion with the Lord. Love you all.