Secret place

The church world always seems to be working a scam or scheme. Years ago a “prophetess” went on Trinity Broadcasting Network peddling $500 emergency prayer kits. They included a Hebrew prayer shawl, anointing oil and teaching tapes. Her website gushed, “This powerful intercessory package has been mandated by God to become a primary weapon in your personal prayer arsenal. Your emergency kit includes everything you need to discover true Power in Prayer.” Really? Why don’t we let Yeshua (Jesus) speak for Himself in Matthew 6:6 – “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” In other words, it costs you nothing, other than to approach Him with a broken and contrite heart.

I have a lot of secret places. The car during my work commute. The shower. The bike trail. I like to talk with God wherever I am. Sometimes He responds in a still small voice, other times not. I don’t need to wrap myself in a tallit, pour oil over myself or memorize a rote prayer. I couldn’t have bought a minute of God’s time with the emergency prayer kit. I believe that King David, a man after God’s own heart, knew where to find the secret place. Wherever that was for him –  the sheep field or royal palace – he poured out His heart to the God of Israel in humility and brokenness. The message was received, and David did not have to fork over cash to an opportunistic priest or prophet to sharpen the Lord’s hearing.

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