Pray In Private

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

“THE ONLY CHANCE I have to steal a few minutes alone without my toddler is when I go into the bathroom,” one mom moaned to her friend.

“You’re fortunate,” her friend replied. “Mine even follows me there.”

Even if we’re not at that stage of life when we have a little shadow, we all face interruptions and distractions that hinder us from truly concentrating on spending time with God.

In much of life, it’s good to have an open-door policy—to be accessible to our family, friends, and work associates. But at times we just have to shut the door, figuratively or literally, for our own spiritual good.

For some people, shutting the door has meant just that—going into a room and shutting and locking the door while they commune with God. Others literally go into a prayer closet, where their family knows they are not to be disturbed. Some like to commune with God in a peaceful outdoor setting. Others may go to Starbucks to get away from the distractions of home. Susannah Wesley (1669–1742), “Mother of Methodism” and mom of nineteen children, reportedly was desperate enough to throw her apron over her head to get her private space with God.

When we’re having a hard time maintaining a devotional time with God, perhaps we should put more emphasis on getting away from distractions. God is flexible; he’ll meet us wherever we seek him.