Pray to your father in secret and he will reward you handsomely

 **"Pray to Your Father in Secret—And He Will Reward You"**  

*A Reflection on Matthew 6:6*  

**Scripture:**  

*"But when you pray, go into your room, 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 6:6, NIV)**  

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### **1. The Beauty of Secret Prayer**  

Jesus contrasts **showy, public prayers** (Matthew 6:5) with **intimate, hidden communion with God**. This teaches us:  

- **Prayer is about relationship, not performance.**  

- **God values sincerity over eloquence.**  

- **The deepest spiritual breakthroughs often happen in secret places.**  

**Key Principle:**  

*"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."* (1 Samuel 16:7)  

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### **2. What Does It Mean to Pray in Secret?**  

- **Physically:** Find a private space (a closet, a quiet corner, a walk in nature).  

- **Spiritually:** Shut out distractions—no audience but God.  

- **Emotionally:** Be raw, honest, and vulnerable before Him.  

**Jesus Modeled This:**  

- He often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16).  

- In Gethsemane, He poured out His anguish *alone* before the Father (Matthew 26:39).  

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### **3. The Promise: "He Will Reward You"**  

God’s rewards are not always material—they are *better*:  

- **Inner Peace** – *"The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds."* (Philippians 4:7)  

- **Divine Guidance** – *"Your ears will hear a word behind you: ‘This is the way, walk in it.’"* (Isaiah 30:21)  

- **Spiritual Strength** – *"Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength."* (Isaiah 40:31)  

- **Eternal Treasures** – *"Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."* (Matthew 6:20)  

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### **A Simple Prayer for Secret Communion**  

*"Father, I come to You now—just as I am.  

No pretenses, no masks, no holy words.  

You see my heart.  

Meet me here in the quiet.  

Speak to me in the stillness.  

Reward me not with worldly gifts, but with *more of You*—  

Your presence, Your wisdom, Your joy.  

**I shut the door on:**  

- Distractions  

- Others’ opinions  

- My own pride  

**I open my heart to:**  

- Your voice  

- Your refining fire  

- Your unfailing love  

Thank You that You *see* me, *hear* me, and *delight* in me.  

Align my desires with Yours.  

In Jesus’ name, Amen."*  

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### **How to Cultivate a Secret Prayer Life**  

1. **Schedule it** – Set aside daily time (morning/night).  

2. **Simplify it** – No fancy words needed; talk to God like a child to a Father.  

3. **Silence the noise** – Turn off devices, quiet your soul (Psalm 46:10).  

4. **Surrender agendas** – Let prayer be about *knowing Him*, not just asking.  

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### **The Greatest Reward**  

*"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."* (Jeremiah 29:13)  

**God Himself is the reward.** The more we pray in secret, the more we *know Him*—and that is worth more than all earthly wealth.  

**Try it today.** Close the door. Be honest. Watch what He does. 🔥