My Prayer Closet

My actual prayer closet

My non-Christian friends are somewhat baffled at the concept of a prayer closet. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus says during the Sermon on the Mount: "But when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret .."

It has been rightly said Christianity is not about a religion but a relationship. That God knows us intimately -- to the very number of hairs on our head -- and that He desires an unforced relationship with us through Jesus Christ. Any good father wants to have a daily, personal relationship with their kids, and our heavenly Father so much more so.

Enter the concept of the prayer closet. This whole business of shutting the door (mine doesn't have one) and secrecy is about getting alone with our Creator and spending time with Him. Sharing our heart and concerns and worries and fears and hopes ...

But doesn't He know these already given He is omniscient? Yes - He knows better than we do but it is for our benefit, not His, that we pour these issues out in secret. God established this vehicle called prayer as means to fellowship with Him. It is wonderful that anyone - with a heart that is earnest in hearing from God - can avail themselves of this. It doesn't depend on age, race, gender, money, geography, intelligence or anything else.

My non-Christian friends may ask: so how do you hear from God? You hear a voice from heaven or some writing on a wall? No. As Elijah heard from God in a still small voice, so we hear it in the same way. A internal thought that comes unbidden, a tilt of the heart and an overwhelming sense of the need to do/say/act on this thing -- a further comfort, joy, peace and assurance. The prayer time really does become a very sweet time of fellowship.

There are many books on prayer. Some of the ones I like include works by EM Bounds, Dwight Moody, Andrew Murray. Recently I read the War Room book that accompanies the movie -- written by the Kendrick brothers and I thought that was a great read.

Anyhow -- for Christians -- this is the battle. To be in prayer consistently. And my prayer closet is the place where I start my day. First prayer, then fire up the Keurig and study a chapter and write down thoughts. I would encourage any of my Christian brothers or sisters to double down in prayer and get alone each day. For non-believers -- try reaching out the Lord quietly as you lay your head down to go to sleep. You might be surprised that within the week something may trigger a response!