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A prayer closet may be almost anywhere. I’ve made prayer closets in basements and attics, little used storage spaces at a workplace, my parked car, and of course in church buildings.
My favorite prayer closet is the most natural. Being outside, in the woods, a park, alongside a babbling brook, even cemeteries, forests, and certainly gardens. These are nature's prayer closets.
I love being outdoors. Growing up near the Rocky Mountains, we spent a lot of time in them, camping, hiking, fishing, skiing. Exploring the trails, getting up high and away, looking over a ridge to a valley stretched below are favorite pastimes.
These places inspire, humble, and feed my soul. This is where I most want to pray.
Jesus went to these places
Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. - Matthew 15:29
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." - Matthew 26:36
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, - Mark 9:2
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. - Luke 6:12
Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. - John 6:3
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. - John 6:15
Find your space
Getting far from man-made sights and sounds removes distractions. It’s nearly impossible most times to fully escape the sounds, for there are always planes, trains, or automobile noises. Other people like those spaces also and can be around where you go, disturbing the quiet.
But it usually beats staying in the city.
You may need to drive an hour or more to reach such a place, but it’s worth it. Explore, find a spot with a view, a stream, a meadow of flowers, a rock in the shade. Take your Bible, a lawn chair or blanket, and some drinking water.
Turn your phone off, or leave it behind.
The Blessings of silence
And just sit and listen. Be still. Be silent.
Hear nature’s sounds and try to distinguish them. Concentrate a few moments on the sound of the breeze in the trees. Let the Lord refresh your spirit, let Him ease the hurry in your mind and worry in your heart.
Just slow down, for a bit. Pray from a Psalm, give Him praise, be thankful, ask Him to help you pray.
Then pray as you will.
The silence can remove distractions and disturbances from the rush and frenzy of the world. It is such a blessing, to be alone in the stillness, which perhaps is why Jesus often went to mountains and gardens.
To be alone with the Father.
This springtime, use nature as your prayer closet. There, shut the door on the world and simply cry out, “My Father.”
Where is your favorite prayer closet? Leave a comment below
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Until Thursday, grace and peace…
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