Staying put

‘But when you pray . . . close the door’ Matthew 6:6

We close doors to keep some people out of rooms and to keep others in!  However, when we consider the idea of closing our door when we are praying, it probably refers to more than a physical action.  It may have more to do with closing the door to distractions and negativity so that we can keep ourselves in the place of God’s love.

These distractions can take various forms, and often we find ourselves mulling over all the things we could be doing that seem more pressing and important than prayer, or we may suddenly feel very ‘ordinary’.  Why would God ever be interested in me and what’s so special about me that he would want to spend time with me?  This is when closing the door is about keeping us in!

Most of us can probably admit that God loves us – indeed the majority of hymns and choruses remind us of this – but our challenge is to keep believing it.  Perhaps you are currently feeling ordinary, struggling under the weight of sin, or aware that disappointment or unanswered prayers are causing doubt to creep in?  Closing the door means being determined to stay in that place of God’s love and not straying away just because your feelings tell you otherwise.

To be called into the presence of God’s love is wonderful – so stay there and let nothing drag you away.\ www.healingmission.org