Day 22
“Listen to me please. I just left a family who survived the tornado in this house and the only left standing is this closet. It's the grandmother's prayer closet, and the whole family survived. Are you kiddin me!!! My God is awesome!!!” he wrote in the caption with the photos. by Jason
As I read this story, I cried, I laughed, I praised God! Why, because there is power in the prayer closet. Long before the movie War Room came on the movie screen in 2015, our ancestors were calling on the name of the Lord in their prayer closets. The movie brought it to the attention of a whole new generation and served as a reminder to others. Your prayer closet is anywhere you and God meet. There are some who use their living room, kitchen, and even the bathroom as their meeting place. The important thing is not so much as where, but that you have a dedicated space.
It is biblical and it is essential in the life of every believer. The word states in:
Matthew 6:5-6 ESV
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Isaiah 26:20 ESV
Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.
There is something that happens when you “shut the door” on the outside world and steal away to be one with God. The act of prayer itself is a literal two-way communication with God. I have met and mentored many people who would say things like: ”I can't pray” or “I don't think God is going to listen to me” or even “I'm not worthy”. Many people feel that only leaders or the priest can pray, but we all have the ability to pray in silence, in thought or out loud verbally. We have this permission and access because Jesus died for all. Also, according to Matthew 27:51 “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;...” this gave You and I direct access!
If you don't have that special meeting place, I encourage you to dedicate some space or set up an actual prayer closet. Your prayer closet should be made just for you and you actually don't need a lot of space. Have enough room to kneel, sit or layout before the Lord. Do not take your cell phone unless necessary (as in you are on with someone else praying or using for worship music etc). Your goal is to “shut-in” so try to keep all distractions away. You don't have to have anything in your closet but if you are like me you want to set it up for you and the King of Kings!
These are some of the items I have in my prayer closet and suggest placing in yours:
Bible
Lamp
Blanket / Pillows
Prayer shawl
Journal, index cards or sticky notes
Pens and pencils
Tape or push pins (if you're writing prayer request and posting on the wall or board)
Positive affirmations, scripture or other Christian artwork
Tissue
Anointing oil
Here are a few pictures from my prayer closet, please feel free to share yours!
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