The Command
“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)
What It Means
With no audience, there’s nothing to perform. Most of us have a public self and a private self, and prayer is where the gap shows. Alone behind a closed door, the first person you have to be honest with is yourself, and that’s harder than it sounds. Honesty with God starts there, and you don’t have to pretend you have it all together, because the Father already sees in secret.
Try It Today
Pray alone today, with no audience and no announcement. Close a door and say what’s actually true, including the parts you wouldn’t say in front of anyone else.
Tonight’s Prayer
Father, you see me when no one else does. Thank you for meeting me in the quiet and letting me be honest. Let my prayers be for you, not for show. Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.