Pray 2!

Pray 2

Matthew 6 : 6 AMP

But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.

As I press on in this new year to discover and fulfil God's plan and purpose for my life, one thing I cannot do without is prayer. It does not matter how simple or complex I consider the issues before and around me are; I just must find time to pray. Prayer is an admission that I do not have all the answers or the help within myself for all that life will throw at me. It is an acknowledgement of the fact that I know God alone is the One who can help me with all that will come my way. I also note that the word used in the verse above is WHEN, not IF. It is not really an option not to pray. It is a practice that must become a fundamental part of my life, if it is not yet one. How can I know God's mind on anything, if I do not ask Him? How does God even speak to me if I do not create time to be alone with Him, where I can hear His voice?

The atmosphere for prayer also matters. Indeed, one can speak to God at anytime and place, but true strength and empowerment comes from the secret place, away from the noise and distraction publicity can bring. I can ask God for anything at anytime, but if I want to get guidance that will impact lives and have eternal consequences, I cannot engage in perfunctory and occasional prayer. It has to be a lifestyle; something that I seek to do daily and regularly. It must be away from prying eyes and public acclaim. It must be away from human approval or applause. The power of the secret place is tied to the secret place but its manifestation will definitely be in the open. Men will see the manifestation and desire it, but not too many will pay the price for it. There is no one who has come truly seeking God that has been turned away by God. 

For the one who seeks to experience it, the price has to be paid. Go into your most private room and close the door, then speak to your Father, who is in secret. He who sees the desire and sincerity will definitely reward in the open. He will provide the inner strength required, and that empowerment will lead to public impact that the world cannot ignore or deny. The reward here may not always be how or what you expect it to be, but God who sees in secret knows how best to reward in the open. In His wisdom, He has set treasures in the secret place. That is the reason why you do not walk on the road and just pick up gold or silver. You have to mine it in some of the darkest places in the world. His reward is for those who understand this principle. However he decides to reward, the world cannot ignore His impact upon my life. God's time of favour is here.