Your Prayer Closet

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  Matthew 6:5-6

Do you have a prayer closet?  A prayer closet is a quiet, secret place where you meet with Jesus.  It doesn’t have to be an actual closet, but a place where you can meet, uninterrupted, with your Savior and LORD.  Jesus desires for us to have intimate moments with Him where we pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise and where we present our concerns and request to Him.  Throughout Scripture, we see Jesus meeting privately with God in prayer.  Jesus set an example for us.  We need to follow the example Jesus set before us and make time to commune with our Savior and LORD in prayer.  James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Whatever your concern, your need, take it to the LORD in prayer.  He desires to hear our voice offering praise and honor to Him.  He desires for us to ask Him to meet our needs.  Taking the time to enter into our prayer closet is crucial to our faith walk.  Make it a priority in your life.  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful – Colossians 4:2.

When you enter your prayer closet, ask Jesus to settle your heart so you will be able to reflect totally on Almighty God.  Our world is full of so much busyness and chaos; we often need this time of settling.  Surrender all your distractions to God.  He knows and will help you.  We must be willing.  Corrie Ten Boom said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it.  Have an appointment with the LORD and keep it.  A man is powerful on his knees.” 

Begin your time in your pray closet praising God and giving Him thanks.  In the Book of Psalms, you will find many Scripture passages you can pray, praising God.  Thank God for what He has done and what He will do.  Have faith knowing God is working in your circumstances even though you can’t see evidence of His hand.  God knows all, reveal your heart to him.  Pray for your loved ones, the sick, the lost, etc.  Continue to lift your concerns to God.  Do not lose heart.  Commit to continual praying until you see evidence of God answering your prayer.  Wait and hope in the LORD.  Psalm 33:20-22 – We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. 

When we meet with our Savior and LORD, we must ask God for forgiveness of our transgressions, our sins.  Often we are committing sins and not labeling them as sins.  We may be labeling our sins as habits.  We may be excusing our sin.  Ask God to reveal to you the sin in your life.  Allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind your sin.  Confess your sin and ask God for forgiveness.  Receive God’s forgiveness and give Him thanks.  Prayerfully ask God for cleansing and purity and to strengthen you from falling into the trap of future temptation. 

You and I have access to God because of the work of Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 3:11-12 – according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Pray in the name of Jesus. 

I encourage you to take the time to meet with Jesus in your prayer closet.  You will never regret the time of communion you have with your Savior and LORD. 

Dear Heavenly Father…..Place in our hearts a desire to meet with You in our prayer closet.  Father, you are the source of our peace, comfort, power, strength, and so much more.  Help us to set aside the busyness of our lives and realize what is truly important - a time of intimate communion with our Savior and LORD.  In Jesus Name I Pray…..Amen