Secret Prayers

When Mother Theresa was asked about the secret of her power in service she replied that it was because the sisters of the mission get up at 4.30 a.m., in the morning every day, and spend a few hours in prayer. Their ministry was successful because they practiced what the Lord taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:5-8. In this passage Jesus taught the disciples about three types of prayers – two types of prayers which will not be answered, and one type which will bring reward openly.

1. Prayer of the hypocrites: Jesus warned the disciples not to pray like the hypocrites, who made showy prayers. They prayed openly in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets but not secretly. Today too, we have many believers who pray in meetings, but not secretly. Jesus called them as hypocrites and said that their prayers will not be answered. (Matt. 6:5)
2. Prayer of the heathens: In those days, the heathens used to pray long and repetitive prayers with many words. They thought that it will be heard. But the Lord told His disciples that their prayers will not be answered and asked them not to be like the heathens. Today too there are many believers who say the same word again and again in their prayers, to make it long, thinking that their lengthy prayers will be answered. But this is against the teaching of Christ. (Matt 6:7)
3. Prayer of the disciples: Jesus taught His disciples to go into a room, shut the door and pray secretly to the Father. He practiced what He preached by praying secretly in the wilderness and in the mountains. As disciples of Jesus Christ, do we pray secretly? (Matt. 6:6) Here are the examples of three women, who prayed secretly and received the reward openly. 

William Carey had a prayerful and godly sister who was in bed for 50 long years. She was totally dependent on others. But she prayed sincerely for the ministry of William Carey, for years together, lying in her bed. She wrote many encouraging letters to Carey, by holding the pencil between her teeth. It is no wonder that the Lord heard her secret prayers and rewarded it openly by enabling William Carey to translate parts of the Scripture into more than 40 languages and the entire Bible into three languages with the help of others. He founded a college, many schools and churches. Hundreds of people were saved and were added to the church.

D.L. Moody, one day preached in a morning service. None came to the Lord on that service. A lame girl fasted and prayed throughout the day for the next meeting in the same church. More than 300 people accepted Christ in that meeting. 

C.T. Studd accepted the Lord when he was in college. He became a famous cricket player, and neglected his spiritual life. Two ladies specially prayed for his spiritual restoration when he went to Australia to play in a cricket match. C.T. Studd committed his life again completely to the Lord, and the Lord used him in China, India and Africa.

 (Dr. C. Barnabas, taken from True Discipleship, July 1993)