It is this going into our closet and shutting the door that is wanted secret prayer. This is the mainspring of everything. And yet we make excuses and say we cannot find time. But the truth is that if we cannot find time for secret prayer, it matters little to the Lord whether we find time for public service or not.
Is it not the case that too often we can find time for everything except this getting into our closet and shutting the door in order to be alone with God? Yes, we can find time for everything but this slipping away to wrestle with God in prayer.
We can find time to talk with our brethren, and the minutes fly past unheeded until they become hours, and we do not feel it a burden. Yet when we find we should be getting into our closet to be alone with God for a season, there are ever so many difficulties standing right in the way. Ten thousand foes arise to keep us from that hallowed spot “thy closet.” It would seem as if Satan cares not how we are employed, so that we seek not our Father’s face. The great tempter well knows if he can but interrupt the communications between us and our God, he has us at his mercy.
Gems From My Reading