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The post below was first posted on another site years ago. It was part of a writing challenge. The object was to have the last word of the first sentence and the last word of the last sentence be closet. Here is my entry.

Jesus says that my prayers need to be said in the closet. He made this assertion in what is called The Sermon on the Mount. That sermon is recorded in the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. This public proclamation is filled with some of the best known and loved teachings of the Nazarene. Those who heard it first were absolutely amazed at the power, authority and practicality of the teachings.

Right in the middle of the sermon, there is a section that deals with prayer (Matthew 6:5-15). One of the abuses of religion addressed in this passage was the practice of praying in public to show off one’s piety. Jesus proclaimed that those who pray on the street corners to be seen by others will receive no reward for their efforts, other than that they were seen by others. I believe it is the peacock practices of some who claim to be Christians that are so resented by so many non-believers.

That idea is followed by the admonition to seclude oneself and pray in private when you want to communicate with God and let Him know what is on your heart. He assures us that God will hear the petitions made in private and He will reward the one who offers such prayers.

The next segment calls on those who pray not to go on and on, as though God likes to hear long prayers. It is an indication that you do not know God, who knows what you need before you ask. Jesus then provides the much loved and recited example of effective prayers, “Our Father Who Art In Heaven…”

One of the most lacking attributes of a life of faith in many individual Christians is their personal prayer life. Many have been drawn to the services of mega-churches that offer as much entertainment as they do spiritual nourishment from the meat of the Word. Assembly of the body is expected of us, but it is not all there is to being a genuine disciple of Christ.

Many have no understanding of the need for taking time to focus on building a relationship with God. That is best done by being alone with Him in a quiet place, sharing big dreams and the little inconsequential details of the daily routine with Him. So to shut out the noise and distractions that are so much a part of our world today, turn off the television and the cell phone, and spend time in prayer talking to God. He is waiting for you in the closet.