The Secret Place

"And now about prayer. 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." (Matthew 6:5-6, NLT) 

Imagine receiving an invitation to spend the day with someone you greatly admire and love. What would be going through your mind? Obviously you would probably be wondering, "What do I wear?!" A millisecond later you'd be pondering, "What are we going to do together? Where will we go? What will we talk about?" You and I have a need to be loved and cherished which is why I want to deliver a special invitation to you...the One who loves you wants to spent time with you today!

When you talk to the Lord is it just to pray over the food or pray with a friend because they are taking an exam next week? Although these are good things to pray for, Jesus explained that when you pray you should, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Find a secret place; a place where you have little-to-no distractions. This might not be a literal closet but search for a location that you can designate as your “secret place”. 

Childhood "Secret" Club

Growing up, my brother and sisters decided to start a top secret club. We explored our musty old attic, shifted some boxes around and made the perfect meeting spot. There under the floorboard we hid our treasure box where we kept our club dues. It was doubtful that the "treasure" amounted to more than a few dollars but we believed ourselves to be quite wealthy. I smile as I think back over memories of club meetings in our hot little attic in the middle of summer but we were having way to much fun to care about our comfort. It was our special little club. To this day you will find each of our names written on one of the rafters with "Our Club" inscribed above our signatures. 

Our secret club now seems like a distant memory. No longer do we climb the ladder to our special meeting spot. I've grown a little older and I have discovered a NEW classified place where I can meet with Someone special every day. It is "our secret spot". He shares His treasures with me and I share my heart with Him. Because I come from a large family, my siblings had to get creative with their private meeting spots. One sister meets with God in our garage while another disappears into one of our cars. For me? That, my friend, is secret! 

Make it your daily mission this week to go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly.

“Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father.” (Andrew Murray)