Somewhere along the way, somebody used an analogy of prayer being like entering a secret garden. (Naturally, I picture Anne of Green Gables) While I can’t remember anything else about the teaching example, I often think about my prayer life in relation to entering a secret garden. As an introvert, I appreciate solitude and silence. As I step into prayer with God, those attributes silence the worlds demands around me. The thing with gardening is that it takes effort, it takes time but the result is so rewarding. You can start with weeds and with consistent effort turn a space into a beautiful flourishing garden. When our prayer life emulates what Jesus says in the above verses, it overflows into every aspect of our life. We find ourselves resting easier, having peace, gaining understanding, growing in wisdom, and bearing fruits that resemble those of God. God doesn’t want the leftovers of us, He desires to be in relationship with all of us.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:5-6