Digging Wells: In My Secret Place

Oftentimes in our lives there are wells the Lord is calling us to dig or reopen. Some we will dig continuously. They are places of encounter and intimacy that sustain a deep, authentic walk with Him. One of the most essential is the secret place of prayer, where we learn to meet with God alone, behind closed doors. In this post, we turn to the words of Jesus and the example of those who walked with God, to rediscover the well of personal prayer.

Have you ever found yourself wondering why the Bible doesn’t give more detailed accounts of the prayers of Jesus when He would go off onto a mountainside to be alone with His Father? I believe the answer is hidden inside His teaching on prayer in what we call the Sermon on the Mount.

In that moment, Jesus gave us a direct invitation to meet with God, and we can consider this uncomplicated counsel from the Lord Jesus concerning the need for us to be alone with God.

“But when you pray, go into your most private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.” Matthew 6:6

Spiritual growth depends a great deal on prayer. There is no substitute for personal, private time with the Father. In the words of Jesus above, we find three vital truths—each one a key to a prayer life that generates results:

Be Alone With God

“But when you pray, go into your most private room, and, closing the door...”

This is the first principle. While corporate prayer has its place and can be powerful, there are times when the door must be shut; when the world is left outside and I commune undisturbed with my Father. Throughout Scripture, we see that when God met with His people, He drew them away to be alone with Him.

Consider these examples:

“So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?’” Genesis 18:22–23 (ESV)

“Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.’” Genesis 22:5 (ESV)

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11 (ESV)

Let your first thought in that solitary place be: God and I are here in this room together.

Be In The Presence Of Your Father

“...pray to your Father, who is in secret...”

That’s the second key. You come alone because your Father with His love is already waiting there for you. Even if you feel cold or sinful, even if your mind is foggy or your life in turmoil—even then, draw near to Him. He is waiting for you. He sees it all, and He reaches out to you in the midst of your circumstances. He longs to commune with you. Rest under the light of His gaze. Believe in His tender, fatherly love. Out of that place, faith will rise. So will cleansing. And true prayer will be born.

Be Certain Of An Answer

“...and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.”

Jesus promised it: “Your Father will reward you openly.” The power of prayer rests in the faith and certainty that God hears it. This knowing gives us the courage to pray and to keep praying. It is faith that is the encouragement to be comfortable and at peace in the presence of the Father. The moment I understand that God hears me, I will pray and persevere in prayer. “My God will hear me.” What a wonderful certainty! It isn’t because I am worthy or wonderful. No, it is always and only because of Who He is. There are thousands of witnesses to that fact. We have all had experiences of this in our lives. And Jesus Himself came from heaven with this message: if we ask, the Father will give.

If you struggle with this, consider meditating on these Scriptures for assurance:

“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3 (ESV)

“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.” Psalm 17:6 (ESV)

“For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.” Isaiah 30:19 (ESV)

A word from Andrew Murray

Let this reminder settle into your heart:

“If there is one thing about which you must be conscientious, it is this—secret conversation with God. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. Every day you must, in prayer, ask from above and by faith receive what you need for that day. Every day, personal communion with the Father and the Lord Jesus must be renewed and strengthened. God is our salvation and our strength. Christ is our life and our holiness. Only in personal fellowship with the living God is our blessedness found.”

Reopening The Well Of Personal Prayer

The secret place is not a side note. It is a central well that nourishes the rest of our life in God. As we continue to dig the ancient wells of intimacy and surrender, may this well of personal prayer be freshly uncovered in your life. Let this be a season of returning to the quiet room, shutting the door, and encountering the Father who sees in secret and rewards in the open.