Daily Devotional: Day 67
“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” (Matthew 6:6, NKJV).
Knowing that God hears your prayer is liberating and refreshing. This confidence is made possible by faith, which is itself a gift from God. Jesus speaks to us today about praying like children of the Father. Many people pray, but not everyone prays like a child of God. Jesus noticed that some people of his day had turned prayer into a public show. These were Jewish leaders of his time. They loved to stand in public places and on street corners to pray, so that people would notice them. Essentially, they had turned prayer into self-worship. The point is, anytime you’re seeking to be the center of attention, you’re seeking to be worshiped. It’s the point where the ego asserts itself over all other considerations. It’s insecurity and pride that often drive people to this kind of behavior. This phenomenon can occur in all spheres of life, including the worship of God. This is what Jesus observed in his day and wanted to correct.
Prayer is an act of worship. And the Father commands all worship to be directed to him, because he alone is God (See Exodus 20:1-6). Nevertheless, we know that some people love to be the center of attention and be worshiped. Jesus wants us Christians to be different. When we pray, Jesus wants us to worship God in truth by not drawing attention to ourselves, but to direct all attention and glory to our Father in heaven. He instructs us to enter the Father’s secret place and focus our prayer on him alone. God rewards prayer, but he doesn’t reward prayer directed to anything or anyone that is not God. As we overcome our insecurities and pride, we’ll pray with the confidence and sincerity of God’s children. And the Father shall reward us.
Prayer:
Daddy, thank you for sending your Son to save us and to teach us your truth. Teach me to direct all my prayer to you alone, for you alone are God. Fill me with confidence to know that you’re all I need. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
For further study: Acts 12:1-23
Higher-Self Realities 