SECRET PRAYER


A. "BUT WHEN THOU PRAYEST, ENTER INTO THY CLOSET, AND WHEN THOU HAST SHUT THY DOOR, PRAY TO THY FATHER WHICH IS IN SECRET; AND THY FATHER WHICH SEETH IN SECRET SHALL REWARD THEE OPENLY." - Matt. 6:6
  1. The words of our Lord are full of divine signification:
    1. They indicate, plainly, that there are some things in life which no one but God understands.
    2. That such things should be revealed to God alone.
  2. That brings to our attention the place of secret prayer in our prayer life:
    1. I fear that this truth is emphasized too little, and understood less.
    2. It should receive prayerful consideration by God's people.
B. SECRET PRAYER
  1. Was practiced by our Lord during His earthly ministry:
    1. "And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray; and when the evening was come, he was there alone." - Matt. 14:23
    2. "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." - John 6:15
  2. Secret prayer has its place in our prayer life:
    1. There are problems or burdens in our life which God alone understands.
    2. To Him and to him alone should some things in our life be made known.
    3. He understands us and He can be trusted that He will not reveal our secrets to men.
  3. On the other hand, human beings, even some of our closest friends, do not understand us and our problems:
    1. If we would make known things that are secret, they would misunderstand and misjudge us.
    2. They would associate wrong motives and that would be harmful to them and to us.
    3. It is wise, therefore, that God has made provision so that we can confide some things to Him alone.
C. SECRET PRAYER
  1. It is significant that the Jewish homes were so constructed:
    1. They provided, what was known as the upper room, a place where they could be in secret prayer.
    2. Many of the pious Jews would spend much time in such prayer seasons.
  2. Secret prayer and its benefits:
    1. It must be noted that only godly people will frequent the prayer closet.
    2. The Pharisees preferred prayer in the open because they used such occasions to advertise their piety.
    3. I can see seven specific blessings in the practice of secret prayer -
      1. God loves it! That is why the Son of God admonishes us to practice it. Matt. 6:6
      2. It is a means of personal communion with God, and that is most desirable. How wonderful it is to commune with God in a personal way -- God and I!
      3. Think of what it did for Moses, who was with God alone for forty days!
      4. Such personal and secret communion with God indicates a close relationship, which will not allow anything to come between God and us.
      5. It affords us the privilege to unburden our hearts to one who understands us best.
      6. It is the greatest honor that God could bestow upon our prayer life -- granting us a private audience in the humble prayer chamber.
      7. It not only has God's approval, but a promise; "thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" - Matt. 6:6
  3. Friends of mine:
    1. Does your house plan provide a secret chamber for an audience with the King of kings and Lord of lords?
    2. Do you meet your appointments with the Highest one?
    3. Or must we cover our face in shame and confess that secret prayer is not in our program!
    4. Can that be the reason for our spiritual lethargy?
    5. What would Jesus say to us in secret, or what would we unburden before Him?


Design © John Bryant 2011