Below is an article found and shared by our Prayer Team.
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).
The most significant transformation in my prayer life came while reading Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ commentary on this verse. Lloyd-Jones said that when he began to understand the meaning of this verse, he realized he could enter into his “closet” with the Lord whether he was in his private study or standing in a crowd of thousands. His wife would say after his death, that what she missed most about “The Doctor’s” ministry was not his preaching, but his praying. He knew how to enter in.
God is not necessarily talking about a physical closet in this verse, although such a practice is fine, but is not always available. I have a mental picture when I begin to pray that has changed everything for me. Let me paint it for you in hopes that it will enhance your praying.
Imagine opening a door and stepping into a foyer … the entrance to God’s Throne Room. Now, turn behind you as you enter and shut the door. Shut the door on others and on last week and next week. Even (in a sense) shut the door on yourself. Your sole focus is the One you are about to encounter.
Next, consciously step into the Throne Room of God! You have total access here because of Jesus Christ. Paul says this well:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).
Beautiful God, thank You for Your word that reminds me of my complete access to You in prayer! When I lean into You I literally enter Your throne room! Help me to shut the door on every distraction and focus on You alone. May I long to step into Your presence continually throughout the moments of my day.
---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
Prayer Points
Praise the One who sits upon his throne, supreme in power and authority.
Give thanks that the Almighty is your Father in Jesus Christ.
Confess your own hardness of heart and disobedience against God’s authority over you.
Commit yourself to God so that you “do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Rom. 6:12).
Ask God to help you endure, so that you may reign with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12).
Pray that the relationships among your family and friends will be spiritually honest and productive. Pray that Jesus Christ will be a frequent and comfortable topic of conversation.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org.