Take a Stand - Week 3: Friday

Matthew 6:6

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.

Commentary

Hilary of Poitiers | On Matthew 5.1

We are asked to pray with the bedroom door closed, as it were, and we are taught to pour out our prayer in every place. The saints’ prayers were undertaken in the presence of wild animals, in prisons, in flames, from the depths of the sea and the belly of the beast. Hence we are admonished not to enter the recesses of our homes but the bedroom of our hearts. With the office of our minds closed, we pray to God not with many words but with our conscience, for every act is superior to the words of speakers.

Questions

• How many times do I hear God's voice throughout my daily life yet I ignore it and go on with my life until something happens? Christ gave me the framework of how and where to pray. God's voice becomes much clearer when I block out all noise outside of my room and shut the door.

• Why do we pray? What should our attitude be towards prayer? Do I pray because I want to or because I need to?