Matthew 6:3,4, “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Matthew 6:6, “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Matthew 6:17,18, “But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
In each of these quotations “your Father who sees in secret” is mentioned. In the second and third quotations “your Father who is in secret” is also mentioned. So our heavenly Father is in secret and He sees in secret. The overwhelming majority of our prayers should be in secret, as well as our giving and our fasting. These are three commandments from Jesus. He said pray in secret, give in secret, and fast in secret. These three commandments are rarely spoken of in churches, but they are essential to an obedient walk with God.
Beyond this, in Matthew 6:7,8 it says, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.”
How many times have you heard someone praying with meaningless repetition? They go on and on, sometimes using inflections and modulations, as if they are giving an oration. Jesus told us not to pray like this, yet many do it anyway. Prayers with meaningless repetition are nothing more than babble.
A true disciple prays with few words because he is communicating with a holy God. His words are chosen carefully and thoughtfully for the same reason. And when he cannot find the right words, he kneels in silence, while the Holy Spirit intercedes for him with groanings too deep for words.
Dear friends, our Father is in secret, and He sees in secret. Let us approach Him in secret.
In the holy name of Jesus, the name through which God showed His great love for us,
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
jondavidbanks.com 