Rev. E. Anderson
THE SECRET PLACE
Reading Matthew 6
Text v3
Introduction
Christ gave a lot of teaching on prayer and each factor was of vital importance to be considered and applied. Here He lays the emphasis on prayer being of a personal private nature for it to be effectual.
1/. SECRET PRAYER MUST BE PERSONALLY CONDUCTED IN PRIVATE
A quiet reserved place must be sought and kept for a special and particular purpose, to meet with the Father and it is to be of private order. No one else or nothing must be allowed to intrude or interfere with this meeting and commitment. It is to be top priority and is first thing on the agenda. The Father waits for this to be our desire and action. He allows no one or nothing to over-rule this. There has to be shutting out of everyone and everything else. There is a seeking of a personal and private audience.
Illustration: How often Christ was alone with the Father – top priority
2/. SECRET PRAYER IS HAVING A GREAT ACCORD WITH GOD THE FATHER
The thing about shutting the door is the will to have real fellowship with the Father besides bringing issues of prayer to Him. It is essentially getting to know the Father as Father and appreciating His fatherhood. Prayer is linked to both. There is a discovery of Him and His will and this makes all the difference in the prayer time.
3/. SECRET PRAYER MEANS PRAYING OVER THINGS THAT THE FATHER AGREES WITH AND DESIRES TO BE BROUGHT TO PASS
It is essential to know a real agreement with the Father in knowing what He desires to and bring to pass. It is His great will that must be accomplished through the means of prayer. Prayer in secret to and with God conditions us to this factor. One becomes happy with what He desires and there is the will to pray in line with it.
4/. SECRET PRAYER IS PURPOSED TO YIELD TREMENDOUS ANSWERS
The blessed consequence is that there is the action of God in response. What has been privately revealed will be evident pubically. The answers given by God will be obvious that He has intervened and demonstrated His power. The raising of Lazarus was the result of Christ praying – John 11: 41; 17: 1.
CONCLUSION
The important thing is to do it and prove it. It is important and imperative that this should be entered into and such makes demands of the Christian believer.
