Praying without distractions

Matthew 6:6 (NASB)

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Notice that this verse begins with “But”.  Jesus is rebutting something and that is the way that the Pharisees prayed.  He called them hypocrites because they prayed publicly to be seen and heard by others in order to draw attention to themselves rather than to God.  Praying with any kind of pride is condemned by Jesus.  To avoid prideful prayer, He commands that individuals pray privately.  The imagery He gives is for you to enter a room by yourself with a door that you can shut so that the only person who knows that you are praying is the Father Himself.  Such private praying, Jesus says, will result in the Father rewarding you.  Also, notice how many times the personal pronouns “you” and “your” are declared by Jesus.  Such is His clear emphasis on the personal and private requirement of effective praying rewarded by the Father. 

However, I do not believe that Jesus is limiting where you have private prayer.  You can pray anywhere as long as the Father has your undivided attention.  Many people pray while driving, as I do too.  However, I often wonder if praying in the car is abiding by this command of Jesus since praying while driving does have its distractions.     

What is the Father’s reward?  Matthew used the word for reward 17 times in his gospel.  It means to deliver, pay off, or give back.  God will reward in a variety of what is done in your private prayer life.  You will feel approved by Him, you will feel at peace with Him, and you will have enhanced assurance that He has clearly heard your prayers and will answer according to His timing and will.  

Is Jesus condemning public prayer?  No.  He prayed publicly (e.g. Matt 11:25-26).  What is emphasized by His command is the motive and attitude of prayer, that you are praying to the Father and not to impress others.  Public prayer always has the risk that you are praying to impress others.  Prayer is to be the connection between what is in your heart, stimulated by the Holy Spirit, and the Father.  Praying with your mind, wondering what others might think, is wrong.  Jesus says that such praying will win the approval of others who hear you (they will reap their reward in full in v 5), but not win the approval of the Father.

Someone once said that it is wrong to pray in public if you do not have the habit of praying in private.  You pray in secret before you pray in public.   

How would you describe your prayer life?  How often do you pray?  How long do you pray when you pray?  How do you pray (sitting, kneeling, standing, silent, verbal, etc)?  What do you pray about?  How do you feel after you pray?   Always remember that our Father in heaven desires a connection with you where you talk to Him, confess your sins, share your burdens and joys, express your love and thanksgiving, and listen to His still small voice that you best can hear when you are in your inner room with just Him and you.

“God speaks to those who take time to listen, and He listens to those who take time to pray.”

– Our Daily Bread