02.13.2010
The Geography of Prayer
THE BELOW BLOG IS THE FIRST BLOG FROM SMITTY'S BASSIST, MATT SMALLBONE - he will be a regular blogger on the site moving forward:
I was reading through Matthew 6 the other day and I was reminded of
something so simple, yet life transforming about prayer that I had to
commit it to paper.
Check it. Matthew 6: 5-6. (You can find it about 60% of the way into
the Bible). This section of the Bible comes during Jesus’ longest
recorded sermon.
Shortly after Jesus talks about charitable giving (and doing so anonymously), he moves right onto the topic of prayer.
He says:
When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray
publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see
them. I assure you, that this is all the reward they will ever get. But
when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray
to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets will
reward you. (Life Application Study Bible)
He starts with a warning (don’t be a poser with your prayer) and then gets straight to his first main point on ‘How to pray’.
Surprisingly, His first teaching is regarding the LOCATION of the
prayer. Not the choice of words (he even goes so far to state that God
knows all of our secrets/needs anyway) or the hour of the day, or
whether I sit stand or kneel, or how I clasp my fingers.
LOCATION!
How about that?!
If you feel like God is distant right now, perhaps the first thing
that you need to do is to go to your room, close the door, and pray.
It’s what the greatest pray-er the world has known told us to do.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. It’s incredible that closing
a door is such a massive key to our relationship with God, but hey, if
that’s what it takes… I’m all in.
To read all of Matt's blogs you can click here to go to his website.
Back
|
| All glory to God!! - 2010-05-25 |
| It is truely amazing how God works everything to His precious plan for our own good. I also experienced the same as Miki - God leading me to a site, I've never visited before & also speaking to me through someone I've never met before! How awesome. |
| by Eileen |
|
| Thank you Matt!! - 2010-04-19 |
| For a while now I've been longing for more of God. You reminded me of my favourite chapters (Matt 5 & 6) that I somehow "forgot".
Praise God for He is faithful and worthy. He leads me to read something on a web page from someone I've never met to bring forth His plans. Truely amazing!!!
So thanks for your note. |
| by Miki |
|
| The Geography of Prayer - 2010-03-07 |
| I love reading the comments after blogs. I also agree with Jesus. |
| by Bruce Munnings |
|
| smooth! - 2010-02-20 |
| it's great to remember that God is always listening and always watching..."From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do" (Psalms 33:13-15) and it's nice to know God desires intimacy with each one of us...with the doors shut behind us. |
| by Tony |
|
| Alpo - 2010-02-15 |
| This comes so close to my experience lately. I'm glad you brought that up. |
| by Alpo |
|
| I agree with Jesus :-) - 2010-02-13 |
| I have always held the opinion and feeling that prayer is about the 'personal' relationship you have with God.
I do recall reading this before, but nice to have it brought up again. |
| by AusJeff |
|
