Matthew 6:6

But whenever you pray, enter into your inner room and shut your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Lexham English Bible

Do you know that your prayer life is as important to your relationship with Jesus, as reading the Bible, studying by yourself and with others? It’s where you ask Jesus all the important questions. It’s where You get to unload all your cares on Him. It’s where the relationship grows.

So how is your prayer life? Does it need some work? Do you need to expand it to a new area in your life?

We have often read that we need to go into our prayer closet and pray in private. 

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. Matthew 6:6 King James Version Bible.

Many have interpret this verse to be a physical location and that’s where they are supposed to pray. We need to remember that it’s written in the language of the 1600’s.  A closet in the 1600’s was generally the meeting room of the living area. They didn’t have closets, they had wardrobes.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have that special place you can retreat to, rest in Him and talk. It’s a very important part of your prayer life.

But what if you don’t have that physical place when you need to pray about something? Do you wait until you’re there?

I love the Lexham translation of this verse: enter into your inner room. 

Do you have an inner room in your spirit that you can retreat to and pray?

I remember someone talking about their grandfather and how he would be in a room full of people and all of a sudden they would notice a look of joy, calm and peace that would come over his face. They asked their granddad what he was thinking about when this happened and his answer was, I’m praying to my LORD.

The grandchild wanted to have that type of relationship with Jesus, like his grandfather did. The grandfather had entered into his inner room, in the middle of a crowd.

John Wesley, the principal founder of the Methodist church, was born June 28, 1703 and was one of ten surviving children that lived beyond infancy. His mother was very influential in his education and spiritual development. It is said that when she needed to pray, they could find her in a kitchen chair, with her apron over her head. That was the family’s clue: don’t bother me, I’m with my LORD. The children learned to leave her alone. She had entered into her inner room, in the midst of raising children.

Being able to retreat into your inner room is’t always easy. It takes a lifetime to develop, so if you’re just getting started, please don’t be discouraged. I believe we all have the ability to do this, is’t just that for some it will be easier than others.

The first and most important thing to do is pray. Ask Jesus today how He would like to start this development in your life. Ask Him for reminders so you can be praying throughout the day. When He reminds you, stop immediately and say a short prayer. It may be triggered by the bad driver in front of you, someone in the elevator with a stuffy nose, a grumpy clerk at the grocery store. Just ask Jesus to be with those people, ask for His blessing on them and to be with them with whatever problems they are facing. Then watch for the next person who Jesus places in your path. Listen for what He is asking you to pray for.

As we approach these last days with Christ, why not make a prayer covenant with Him. Be intentional in this praying business. Use whatever it takes to remember to be with Him. Here are some ideas:

Write a scripture about prayer on a 3×5 card and carry it around all day with you. (also look and read the scripture often)

Use some red lipstick and write on your bathroom mirror: Pray!
Use post-it notes to help you remember to pray.
Set a timer on your phone to remind you to pray at different times.

At first you will need all the help you can get. As you continue your walk with Jesus, it will become second nature and you will remember without all the reminders.

As you focus on praying through the day, you will soon develop your inner spiritual room. It will be come a favorite and you will be spending more and more time there.

It pays to pray.
It pays to never give up.

Certainly discouragement sometimes comes with prayer, but remember this: There will always be discouragement without prayer!

Jesus, I want so much to develop my inner spiritual room with You. Please show me how I can do this, what I need to focus on, how I can re-arrange my life to make the best room for You. 
I thank You so much for Your love and care for me, how You guide and protect me through the day.
I praise You for the sacrifice You gave so I can move in with You and live. How I love You my Jesus. Hold me close today and so I will talk to You often.
Amen