Get Back in the Closet!

I’ve been asked before, and I’ve also heard people talk about having a Prayer Closet. For a long time I thought that to be a literal “closet” where one went to pray! You may be laughing right now, and that’s okay if you are. But let me ask you, do you have a prayer closet?

Let me put it in simpler terms: Do you have a special, private, place that you like to go by yourself to talk to the Lord? My absolute favorite place is on a balcony, in the mountains, overlooking a rushing creek. But when I can’t be there, my favorite place is at the end of my porch. I call it “The Stoop.” Yours could be a spare bedroom, a favorite chair, a trail in the woods, even your car! My husband’s favorite place is on his motorcycle, riding down the road.

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. ~Matthew 6:6

Whatever, or wherever you go, this is your “Prayer Closet.” Someplace private. Someplace where no one else goes with you. This is your very private special place where you meet and spend time with God. You don’t always have to talk. Maybe you just spend time listening, waiting for Him to speak to you. Because face it, He already knows what’s on your heart.

Yes, it’s good to bring all your cares to Him (1 Peter 5:7), but sometimes it’s also good to just “be still” and listen.

Be still and know that I am God! ~Psalms 46:10a NLT

In my prayer closet, I see and hear many things. The best thing about my prayer closet is that it’s portable. I can take it with me anywhere, because I can pray anywhere! But the best thing about my time spent in my prayer closet is that God is always there.

In the 60’s, the Beach Boys sang this song and the first few lines went, “There’s a world where I can go, and tell my secrets to. In my room. In my room….”

Jesus went away by Himself to pray alone, in private. The Beach Boys went into their room. Whether alone in the wilderness, woods, a room with a door, a balcony in the mountains, on a motorcycle, or wherever is your favorite place to linger, get back in the “closet.” God is waiting for you there.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.