INTIMACY THROUGH PRAYER (1)

“But you WHEN YOU PRAY, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, PRAY to YOUR FATHER who is in the secret place” – Matthew 6:6a

In addition to the Word and Worship, Believers access Divine INTIMACY through PRAYER: “But you WHEN YOU PRAY, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, PRAY to YOUR FATHER who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matt.6:6). To foster intimacy with God through prayer, we must seek Him in private, not for show, and trust in His unseen reward, focusing on a genuine connection rather than outward appearances. In our meditation text, the Lord teaches about Prayer, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and seeking God in His Secret Place, not for public display.

Prayer is an intimate, private communication between us and our heavenly Father. The Lord instructs: “pray to your Father who is in the secret place” (v.6). The outward show of the hypocrites who pray for attention is compared with the call to seek God in private. The Lord then outlined a model prayer – "Our Father" – to guide our approach to Him, and foster intimacy and a relationship built on trust. This Prayer Model teaches and challenges us to move beyond superficial prayers and delve into a genuine, intimate relationship with God. We’re instructed to pray in private, not for the sake of impressing others, but to connect with God in a personal, intimate, and meaningful way. Whie the hypocrites have received their reward in the praise of men, genuine prayer seeks the reward of a closer relationship with God.

The “Secret Place” is a metaphor for a place of quiet and focused prayer – an arena of sheer delight! If I’ll go into my room, shut the door, and pray to my Father who is in the secret place, the Lord assures: “your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (v.6b). This reward is not necessarily material, but more likely spiritual – a deeper connection with God, strengthened faith, and transformed life. In this quiet nook, God’s Living Word is laid open before me. The Lord Himself stands at my side. The Holy Spirit is gently washing my heart. My love for the Lord is roused as my spirit is ignited and my mind renewed. I talk to Him, and He talks to me in the language of intimate fellowship.

The "Our Father" prayer, as a powerful guide, reminds us of God's Character and our needs. It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness – both towards others and seeking forgiveness from God – in enhancing intimacy with Him. It highlights our dependence on God for our daily needs, our trust in His provision, the need to seek God's Kingdom and align our desires with His Will. The prayer concludes with a plea for deliverance from evil, reminding us of the ongoing spiritual battle, while affirming the sovereignty of His Eternal Kingdom, Power and Glory.