A closet is an interesting place. It is a place where you can put things away. Generally when you talk about a closet, you think about a place to store clothes, linens, shoes, coats, boxes, etc.

There are some people who have all kinds of things hidden away in their closets that they don’t want others to know about. Some of the deepest, darkest secrets of life are hidden in closets, including right here in Union. Your neighbor, co-worker, family member, or even that man/woman who sits in front of you every Sunday at church has tucked away in the closet things that would leave you speechless. Yes, you may be surprised who has skeletons in their closet.

If this is the only closet life you have, you are missing out on one of life’s blessings. The closet life I’m speaking of is a life of prayer; a life with a “prayer closet.”

In Matthew 6:5-8 we find the Lord instructing the disciples in the matter of prayer. In verse 6 the Lord says, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

This closet life isn’t a life of embarrassing skeleton secrets that you wish to keep hidden forever. Rather this closet life is a life of separation and sweet communion with our Heavenly Father.

We first see an entering into the closet. This is a physical separation from the distractions of life, and entering into a personal, private time where prayer can be cultivated.

Next, notice the necessity. The Lord said, “When thou prayest,” not “If thou prayest.” God doesn’t leave an option of having a prayer time. There has to be a time daily when you privately meet with God in prayer.

Then you shut the door. This is a time where you only focus on your private time with God. It is shutting the door to the outside and settling down for a time of prayer only focused only on the Lord. You block out the kids, your spouse, the television playing, and the phone ringing.

Then there is the prayer. True prayer isn’t just a time of attacking God with a list of your wants. It is not confined to a specific time limit. Prayer doesn’t require you to speak eloquently, using impressive words and adopting a formal tone. Prayer isn’t supposed to impress and be heard for men’s applause. True prayer is listening as well as speaking. It is a time of conversation with God. True prayer is a time of thanksgiving. True prayer is a worshipful time in God’s presence. Prayer is much more than having a relationship but rather it is a time of fellowship with a Holy God.

I challenge you to daily spend time in true prayer with the Father. Thank Him for His many blessings. Talk to Him about the concerns on your heart. Petition Him on behalf of your family and friends. Tell Him how wonderful He is and how appreciative you are for saving someone life you. Take time today and enter into a “closet life” with God and experience the blessings of God through the power of prayer.

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.