As a Christian, what can I... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:5–6

As a Christian, what can I learn about prayer from these words of the Lord Jesus?

– My prayer is addressed to God, my Father, or to the Lord Jesus. He is the addressee of my petitions and thanksgivings. It isn’t about delivering a message to others – in my own family or to other believers. Otherwise, like the Pharisees, I would only want to impress people with my prayer.

– My prayer should be done without disturbance. Therefore, I need a suitable place, a way to withdraw from everyday life (the proverbial chamber).

– My prayer is like a familiar “conversation” between me and God. Prayer gives me the opportunity to discuss important questions and needs personally with God and to present them to Him. In prayer I can ask God for His help, for His blessing, or for His mercy. This makes me feel very small before myself and also before others.

– The Lord Jesus doesn’t say that I can only pray when I’m alone (see Matthew 6:18). I can also pray, for example, while driving or at work. Everywhere and at any time I can pray to Him.

– And one more amazing point: God even wants to reward me for my prayer. Prayer is the admission that I need God for everything, for every single step. But this awareness alone is appreciated and rewarded by my Father in Heaven. How? Perhaps by the very fact that He hears my prayer.

What a gift prayer is! Do I make use of it?

Today’s reading: Nahum 3:1-19 · Proverbs 30:24-33