Oct 28 - Matthew 6:5-6

Jesus said,

And when you pray,

do not be like the hypocrites,

for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues

and on the street corners

to be seen by others.

Truly I tell you, they have

received their reward in full.

But when you pray,

go into your closet,

close the door and pray to

your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees

what is done in secret,

will reward you

Matthew 6:5-6

A famous family named Wesley had many children. Many, many, many children. Therefore where was a busy mother to go to find quiet, private moments with God?

Legend has it, that the mother of John and Charles Wesley – the famous evangelist and hymnwriter, respectively – used to sit in the tiny little room at the center of their house, pull her apron over her head, and dare her children to interrupt her time with God!

The Wesley children probably learned -- like our Thomas children -- that the day went better when you didn't interrupt mother when she was talking to the only Rock of Sanity in the midst of a busy day!

Jesus' point today isn't to recommend that we find a prayer closet (or pull an apron over our head if that's the only way we can find one on one time with God) -- though that is necessary and powerful advice! In other ways and other places, Jesus will teach about and model how to do life-giving, private devotions. But that’s in other passages and on other days.

Today the point is our attitude in praying. Basically Jesus is saying: Don’t pray to gain the attention and accolades of others; rather, pray for an audience of One!

The God who sees in secret yearns to be met in the secrecy, honesty, and humbleness of your heart. The One who knows you already wants you to be vulnerable and trusting enough to give more of your heart ... and be even more fully known. The Lord doesn't want your prideful prayers; he wants your heart and your devotion.

Or to say it most simply: He wants you!

Not because he doesn't technically own everything, but because he loves you and wants you to give yourself to him as a gift. Ask your beloved – does she want you to love her as your duty? or does she want you to love her as your joy and give yourself to her as a gift?!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to be a superhero

(letting the God who sees in secret

see behind my masks)