June 11 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Jesus stressed secrecy when he taught us how to give money. In the case of prayer, he is just as emphatic. It's a matter between God and the one who is praying: "Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen, but who sees what is done in secret."

Public and communal prayers have a place in Christian living. This the Bible clearly shows us. And there can be great beauty and encouragement when many are united in a prayer uttered by one. But anyone who has led in such prayers also knows about the pitfalls. The one who is praying must be heard by those for whom he is praying. The danger is great that he thinks more about the audience on earth than the audience in heaven.

Prayer is first and last a secret matter. It is talking with the Father who is in the secret place, the Father who sees the secrets of our lives. We cannot be Christians unless we have private prayers.

Every life has a private side. Our respect for persons includes respect for their right to privacy.

The worldly attack on privacy continues in full strength. On television you see and hear interviewers who have no consideration for the honor and privacy of the person they are questioning. Certain magazines and Internet sites do nothing but pry into the private lives of well-known people. This kind of journalism sells well because it gives people an obscene pleasure to get into the private lives of public figures. They always hope that the private side is a shady side. But couldn't the private side of a person's life be the sacred side?

Privacy is also under attack in the church. People are made to think they have to share the most private elements of their spiritual existence. This promotes neither faith nor honesty. Jesus' words are sobering. Close the door, and speak secretly to your Father. Have no other audience than God.

REFLECTION

What opportunities do you have in your day for private prayer? If you don't have a regular time set aside for private prayer, make a plan to include it each day.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.