January 8-10, 2010
Matthew 6
Pastor Michelle Hoverson
“Prayer - When and Where” - Matthew 6:5-6
For 6 days each week and spanning two years, 8 hours of daily practice produced a new level of sailing excellence for the New Zealand America’s Cup team. When people are serious about something, they seem to make room for it as a scheduling priority.
When the disciples asked Jesus about prayer, He began by saying “when you pray.” Jesus assumed that His followers would have regular times of prayer. Could He rightly assume that about you?
Jesus goes on to say, “When you pray, go into your room, close the doors.” Jesus wasn’t prohibiting public prayer, but why did He emphasize private prayer?
- When praying in a group, it’s easy to lose focus. Jesus knew it was important to get away from distractions and talk to our Heavenly Father without interruption.
- When praying in a private place, we aren’t tempted to impress another person. We don’t want to be like a New England church minister of whom it was said, "Reverend Jones presented the most beautiful prayer ever offered before a Boston audience."
- When Jesus said that we should meet with God in our room, the same word was used for a storehouse where treasures were kept. In other words, there are treasures waiting for you in your private place of prayer.
Whether you choose a room, closet, recliner or porch rocker - establish a private place to meet regularly with the Lord. Watch it become one of the most special places in your life!
Michelle Hoverson manages care and reach teams, oversees “Global Impact” (missions) and “Community Impact” (outreach) ministries and serves on the weekend and midweek teaching teams.
