Back in the Closet

Some of you may have seen the Deliberate Women Challenge, and some of you may have accepted officially or unofficially. Either way, God calls us to pray. If you struggle to pray, to actually go away, sit, be still and even find the words, Let me encourage and direct you to Matthew 6 where Jesus gives perfect instructions.



“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.

In this manner therefore pray ye: 
"Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever. Amen."

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6: 5-15 King James Version 21st Century

Do these instructions from Jesus mean that we can't pray while we are driving our car, taking a walk, cleaning the toilets and chasing the kids? Absolutely not! But God's Word is clear and Jesus lived an example of the importance of finding solitude (as Melissa shared with us a few weeks ago) and talking one on one with the Lord. Talking, just talking.... focused on Him without distractions. It's the same way I like my husband to talk to me instead of having a half conversation while the football game is on. I like his full attention just as he appreciates mine. So wherever your "closet" is, take the time to be deliberate about prayer, the way Jesus taught us.  

And if you don't know what to say, say it like this: 
"Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever. Amen."

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