HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“When you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
1. Make the Father Your Main Focus
I read several years ago about a preacher who began his prayer with long and colourful language. His introduction carried on and on, until a lady in the choir reached over, pulled on his robe, and said to him, “Please! Just call Him Father and ask Him for somethin’.” When you go to your earthly father, you call him Dad. And if he’s a great dad, he drops everything to talk to you. Nothing thrills him more than knowing his child wants to talk to him, no matter what age. That’s how it is with our heavenly Father. Just call Him Father and ask Him for something. He’s right there, ready to answer those with willing hearts.
The best kind of prayer is done when no one is watching or listening. It begins in the closet, not at the church. It bears its soul without a hidden agenda. It genuinely seeks to know what God desires. I can tell you from experience that one of the most challenging parts of pastoring a church is leading in the pastoral prayer. To connect with the Almighty as if you are all alone, knowing you’re surrounded by those who are quiet and listening, is a real challenge. It’s easy to parade our righteousness in moments like that. But our prayers need to be offered spontaneously and authentically.
Prayer means coming to your Father in secret and your Father in secret listening to you. And He will repay you accordingly–according to His will, according to what is best. So the next time you’re out on the road and your tire starts to wear a little thin, remember that it’s not the quick can of fix-a-flat that’s going to restore your perspective. It’s your sincere prayer to the Father, offered out of the wellspring of your heart, that will help you keep on keeping on.
Take courage my brethren and be constant in prayer night and day. Keep courage for the Lord waits to hear His children pray. There Is no special way of approach but call upon Him and talk to Him, tell Him about all your situation and make know all your petitions and supplications. Tell it to Jesus alone.
