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BY PASTOR BRANDON YOUNG
Throughout the pandemic, we have watched as stores, restaurants, and a variety of other businesses have shut their doors for good. Often, I pull up to a place of business to find it is no longer open, or it is closed that particular day due to staffing issues. The supply chains have been broken, and many stores are barren. I have gone to several stores looking for certain items that I am needing to no avail. It can be frustrating to say the least. Similarly, I see hurting people everywhere. I see families and individuals struggling daily. Many are looking for something to ease their pain, sorrows, and frustrations, but they are not finding a solution.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” A closet is a small room, enclosed recess, or cabinet for storing clothing, food, utensils, etc. Jesus tells us to enter our closets and pray in secret. I am afraid that our prayer closets are closed. We say some simple prayers, but are we really praying diligently. Sometimes when individuals come to us seeking something they need they find barren shelves instead of the answer. In the prayer closet, we will gain greater faith, compassion, and love. Without going in the closet, we won’t have anything to give away.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 states, “Pray without ceasing.” A running prayer is often going through my head as I work, drive, or recreate, and I have used these simple prayers to justify not meeting personally with God for more fervent praying. We often say we don’t have time. Jesus tells us to go in and shut the door of our closets and pray. We must remove all the distractions and solely meet alone with God. He can fill our closets with things we and those around us need. Christians should be able to assist. However, Christians are running on empty themselves. We must reopen our prayers closets and pray like never before! In Mark 9:29, the disciples are unable to cast out a demon and Jesus tells them that this kind of power is only found in fasting and praying. We need to get back to passionately and sincerely calling out on God for help. The world around us need Christians to be prayed up and ready to distribute kindness, compassion, love, and the great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Let’s head back to the prayer closets, pray in secret, and watch the Lord reward us openly!
(Brandon Young is pastor of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton)