In Secret

As mentioned in the last post, the ladies at my church studied the topic "What is Prayer?" for our monthly Bible study. While it is always appropriate to study the disciplines of the Christian life on a regular basis, this study on prayer was particularly timely for so many reasons. In general, God continues to show me the overwhelming nature of circumstances in both my life and the lives of friends and family which speak to our complete and entire dependence on Him. Lest I become too confident that life is going well because of self effort, I am always reminded that it is in Him that we "live and move and have our being."

There is one aspect of prayer as a new covenant believer that I have come to appreciate so very much during this study. It is the fact that we can now pray to our "Father who is in secret" in a secret place. In the Old Testament worship centered around the tabernacle/temple because that is where God chose to dwell among His people. 1 Kings 8 clearly reveals this fact in Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple. The Israelites would either go to the temple or turn towards it during their prayers and pleas before Yahweh.

However, with the coming of the True Temple, Christ, everything changed. God's dwelling among His people was fulfilled with Christ's death, resurrection and ascension. Now, by the aid of the Spirit, we turn to Him as He intercedes for us in prayer. Instead of going to or turning towards a physical structure, we turn towards our great High Priest, who enables us to boldly approach the throne of our Father.

As I sat in my quiet living room this morning in prayer, my heart rejoiced over this matter. It seems lately that physical exertion has become increasingly difficult and I was reminded of a short walk from a parking lot to a building yesterday that felt like a 5 mile hike. In that moment, I was so grateful that God has so graciously enabled us to approach His throne in secret. No longer must we go to a physical structure, but, instead, we are able to know great intimacy with Him by adoption as His children. May we as His children basque in this great priviledge and never overlook the opportunity to commune with our Father in such intimacy.

My heart overflows with gratitude!!

Darla