September 5
The Simplicity
of Prayer
Matthew 6:6
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.
Daily Steps
After establishing the necessity of prayer (Day 248), this verse guides the new believer on the manner of prayer. It teaches the importance of sincerity and intimacy, stripping away outward show: When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
The peace in this principle is found in intimate sincerity:
The Location of Intimacy: Jesus instructs us to find a private space: go into your room, close the door. This emphasizes that prayer is fundamentally a personal, private conversation (The Secret of Friendship, Day 232) between you and God. This solitude removes the temptation to pray for the approval of others (The Discipline of the Tongue, Day 238).
The Focus of Adoration: We are to pray to your Father, who is unseen. This focus reminds us that we are approaching the omniscient, unseen God (The Ultimate Presence, Day 212) who knows our hearts perfectly. The goal is simple, honest communion with the One who created us.
The Guaranteed Reward: The motivation for this sincerity is the assurance that your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. This reward is the deep spiritual intimacy, clarity, and peace (Day 222) that comes from a sincere relationship with God, confirming that true spiritual gain is private, not public.
Your peace is secured by intimate sincerity. Embrace the simplicity of prayer today by finding your "room" and speaking honestly with your unseen Father, knowing that your genuine, secret devotion will be openly rewarded.
Reflective Question
Do you find yourself tempted to pray for the approval of others, or do you prioritize the simplicity and honesty of private prayer? What is one specific time or place you can commit to today to close the door and pray without any distraction or audience?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to make my faith about outward appearance. I thank You that You are my Father, who is unseen. I pray for the discipline of prayer to be an intimate, secret practice.
Secure my peace today in the knowledge that You see what is done in secret and that You will reward my sincere heart. Amen.
