Musings on the Gift of Prayer

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
(Matthew 6:6 ESV)

I have very fond memories of playing with cousins at one of my uncle and auntie's home as a child. Auntie had an early work schedule and came home just as we arrived from school. Each day, she would greet us and almost immediately go to her room. She would remind us to play quietly because she was going to her room to take time to rest and pray. It was curious to me that she would pray so often and in such a dark room.

It was not until after becoming a Christian many years later did I understand the importance of praying in my very own ‘prayer room’. I have found it to be a sweet time of fellowship and communion with my Abba Father. To think on his invitation to me (and you) to pray and cry out to him with full confidence that he hears my petitions and sends the help of the Holy Spirit to intercede my inner groanings is a mystery TOO great for me fathom. (Matt. 6:6; Jam. 5; Rom. 8:26).

Whether my "prayer room" is in a particular room, on a favorite sitting chair or in the quietness of my heart, I acknowledge I struggle to do so with humility and genuineness of heart for I am yet still in the flesh and living on this side of heaven. This where I must implore the help of the Holy Spirit to assist me in cultivating true humility and a genuine heart.

Like private prayer, corporate prayer is necessary. The bible illustrates this throughout scripture. One beautiful example I recently read is when the prophet Zechariah spoke of God restoring Jerusalem and Judah from their exile. He exhorted them to love truth and peace. Promising that by doing so many nations would come corporately to pray and entreat the LORD’s favor (Zech. 8:20-22).

What a precious and sweet reward prayer is to us as believers!