JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on prayer with God in a place of privacy.

In Matthew 6:5, Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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.”

In Jesus’ day, hypocrites were actors who appeared religious on the outside, but inside, they were full of greed and self-indulgence. The reward they received for their religious show was praise from people, but not favor from God.  Jesus instructs us to find a quiet place and have a talk with God. That is where our relationship with God has an opportunity to grow stronger. Then the practice of our faith will be guided by pure motives that reflect our love for God.

Focusing on personal time with God in prayer gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com