"SHUT THE DOOR WHEN PRAYING"

A visitor to London entered a phone booth in Central London to make a call. This was round about dusk and he was obviously having difficulty finding the digits on the dial. There was a light in the booth but he didn't know how to turn it on. 

A passer-by noticed his predicament and stopped to say, "Sir, if you want the lights on, you need to shut the door". I am sure you know how this works.

The embarrassed visitor was however delighted to find the booth filled with light and the call was made.

Similarly, when we come before the throne of grace to pray, we need to 'shut the door'. This is to block out the hustle and bustle of the busy world that could hamper our thoughts and emphasis to pray diligently.This act of shutting out the trappings of a busy world, turns on the light of His wisdom as we withdraw to our closet and pray in solitude.

Jesus often withdrew to be alone with the heavenly Father for strength and guidance, sometimes at the end of a busy day (Luke 5:12-16), or prior to making an important decision (Luke 6:12-13).

1 John 5:14 assures us that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us and answers us., but we must remember to "SHUT THE DOOR", by getting alone with the Lord.

Matthew 6:6

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.


'SECRET OF AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER IS TO PRAY IN SECRET'.


Other scripture reference:


Luke 5:12-16

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.



Luke 6:12-13

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.


13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.


1 John 5:14

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.