CLOSET PRAYING

Jesus did not have to have anyone tell Him what was in his or her heart. He knew the hearts of men, because of His omniscience (Psalms 139:1-6) -- "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what as in man," (John 2:24-25). There were, however, times when Jesus' merely observed the outward behavior of men and drew conclusions based on what was seen. We are also able to see through the facade of appearance by observing behavior. No one is nearly as obscure as he would like to think.

Jesus spoke a parable against those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others, (Luke 18:14). The parable depicted two men -- the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. By his prayer the Pharisee really made himself quite transparent. The publican also revealed a lot about himself by his posture and words -- "would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smoke upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." Had we been at the scene where both men were praying, we would have seen the same things Jesus taught -- not by omniscience but by merely observing their behavior.

How much we reveal about ourselves by our prayers! We may habitually utter the same phrases and words we always have, without any thought or feeling. We may speak flowery praises to fill up an appropriate allocated time for prayer. Jesus offered a solution to the public display of prayer -- enter into your closet and pray to God in secret (Matthew 6:6). That was not a prohibition against praying in public -- it was a prohibition against praying with a desire to be seen of men. If we act differently in praying when we are in public than when we pray in private, then prayer becomes a means to self glorification rather than the means of communication with God.

This is not said to diminish the practice of public praying or to make us critical listeners to others' prayers. It is rather being said to make us conscious of what our praying says about us. Let's be sure to draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22).

Written by: Jim R. Everett
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