“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)
The chair sat in a closet far away from the kitchen. Hidden in the dark, a person could easily slip into the space with little notice. It was not the usual coat closet or even a pantry filled with canned goods. It was a prayer closet.
The distractions that arise from a small house with six children are what originally motivated the daddy to build the small space. Alice, his youngest, loved to hide in the closet. Like him, she believed in the power of prayer and was thankful for the little sanctuary. It always reminded her of God’s presence and His desire for her fellowship.
Although prayers were said before every meal and family devotions were shared every night, Alice still made time for the prayer closet. Her siblings had no interest in it, so she never had to fight for access. Within the walls of the tiny closet there was room for just one small chair. Alice didn’t mind, for the moment she sat on that chair she entered the presence of God and all her worldly cares slipped into His hands.
Over the years Alice grew into a lovely young woman. She was known for her gentle and quiet spirit and for the graceful way she carried herself. She never married, so after her parents died, she inherited their home. Her brothers and sisters had all moved away to raise their own families and were happy she had become the new homeowner.
God gives all of His children spiritual gifts. To Alice He gave the gift of faith and a passion to intercede for the lost. Unseen by all, it was her joy to enter the prayer closet. She would daily lift up those in need of God’s grace and provision. The Lord would place neighbors, strangers from the grocery store, childhood friends and government officials on her heart. Faithfully, she would lift them up and ask God to reveal Himself to them. She asked for His saving grace.
For 87 years Alice lived a quiet life in her small community. She was well liked but nobody, including her siblings, thought she had accomplished much. She never went to college, worked only simple jobs, and left behind no family of her own. What would her nieces and nephews say at her funeral? Nobody knew of her time in the prayer closet. Nobody knew how the spiritual realm came to attention when she was on her knees.
When Alice took her last breath on earth and woke to her first day in heaven, there was a MULTITUDE of heavenly hosts waiting to greet her and give thanks. Her prayers had helped to bring many souls into the kingdom of God, but only in death was this finally revealed. She was humbled by the first words of her beloved Savior, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To hear these words had been her heart’s desire.
But oh, you cannot imagine Alice’s surprised when God revealed her heavenly treasure and the many crowns she had earned, including the Crown of Rejoicing.
MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTE BY TOZER DURING YOUR QUIET TIME
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NKJV)
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:3-11(NKJV)
“The key to prayer is simply praying.” ~ A.W. Tozer
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