16TH SEPTEMBER
Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Don’t pray only when you are with other people; develop your secret, private life of prayer!
When you have a special friend, you love doing things with them in a big group of friends. But the best times in the friendship are the times when it is just the two of you. That’s when you go deep.
It’s the same with God. He loves to be involved in our meetings, our group times. But it’s the inner, secret, private times of prayer that take your relationship to a much deeper level. If you want an intimate walk with God, learn to spend lots of time with him “in secret”.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
How do you need to adjust your schedule so that you can make time to spend with God?