THE “CLOSETED” LIFE OF PRAYER!

THE “CLOSETED” LIFE OF PRAYER!

Matt 14:23

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Matt 6:6

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

         Medieval society so valued constant prayer that many people made substantial donations to monasteries so that monks and nuns, largely freed from manual labor, could become "professional" pray-ers on behalf of the rest of society. In fact, many monks and nuns, in obedience to Paul's command to "pray without ceasing," lived an institutional life of prayer, praying day and night.  -- Dennis Martin. "Faith in the Middle Ages," Christian History, no. 49.

         The advent of electronic social networking has made it almost impossible to “be alone.” One can hardly shower or tend to personal hygiene without getting a text or a “tweet.” While it is certain that Jesus did not carry a Blackberry or an iPhone, it is clear that he valued solitary prayer time. He stole away to a place where the crowds could not find him. The crowds always “wanted” something from Him; another loaf or another fish or some healing that would drain the virtue from Him. Solitary prayer recharged him. It was essential.

         In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus strongly suggested quietness and solitude while praying. Go into thy closet and shut the door. Lock it from the inside and throw away the key! Distractions abound and they seem to be under the control of Satan! You will drain away unless you recharge your spiritual batteries.

Near To The Heart Of God

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.

Dear Lord, help me to find quiet times and quiet places where I can be alone with you today. AMEN