Andrew Murray said it well: “O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth.”1
Since I started my daily devotional website almost 4 ½ years ago, I can honestly say that today’s devotion is one of the most important I have ever posted. As you are probably aware, if you have been following my blog for a while, prayer is, I believe, so essential to the Christian, that without a vibrant prayer life, not only will we be ineffective in our labors for the Lord, but we will miss out on a host of wonderful blessings.
These blessings are so enormous that my prayer is that after reading this devotion you will, like Andrew Murray, understand why secret prayer can be the most “beloved spot on earth.”
I like how Becky Harling described secret prayer: “Secret prayer is the place where we position ourselves to be transformed by God. As we learn to enter the secret place, shut the door, and commune with Him, our souls will be changed. We will grow deeper in our intimacy with God, experience greater joy, enjoy a larger impact and fruitfulness, and receive deeper calm.”2
My friends let’s take a look at each of these blessings in more detail:
We will grow deeper in our intimacy with God
Again, Becky Harling adds insight here: “God designed us for relationship with Him. We were created for heart connection with Him. He didn’t just intend for us to be casual acquaintances. He designed us for intimate union with Him.”3 When God created you He did so with a desire to lavish His amazing love on you. And as we learn to dwell and delight in His presence we will experience a deep and abiding sense of holy awe and a unique wellness of soul that mere words are inadequate to describe.
We will experience greater joy
Secret prayer allows us to deeply abide in the presence of the Lord. And when we are all alone with God the majesty of (Psalm 16:11) can become a reality in our lives. This amazing verse has a three-part blessing, for we read: “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Imagine, that in secret prayer Jesus promises to show us the path of life, give us fullness of joy, and shower us with unending pleasures! And just what is fullness of joy? I believe it is the capacity to be filled to overflowing with the knowledge that you are loved and cherished by Jesus, the Creator of the universe, and that you are of infinite value as a child of God!
We will enjoy a larger impact and fruitfulness
As we spend time alone with God in secret prayer our heavenly Father delights to answer our supplications and petitions. Do you want to see souls saved, broken relationships become healed, and victories become commonplace on your prayer list, then get alone with God in your inner chamber. It’s in secret prayer that we get serious with God and He delights to answer our prayers. There is just no telling how great an impact our time alone with Jesus can have on our world.
We will receive deeper calm
With life so full of stress and anxiety, secret prayer, alone with God, is the key to bringing a deep and abiding sense of calm amidst the storms of life. And (Philippians 4:6-7) is just what the doctor ordered when we are in search of long-lasting peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
My friends may I challenge you to make secret prayer your most beloved spot on earth. As much as we may desire to spend quality time alone with the Lord, the reality is that Jesus delights and cherishes even more, in spending His undivided attention with you!
1 150 Andrew Murray Quotes | ChristianQuotes.info