Private Prayer – by Sadhu Sundar Singh

Some interesting points highlighted (in image):

Some interesting points highlighted (in image):

(i) Prayer with no external words and only words in the heart (can).

(ii) Little Movements and disturbances (due to others around him) affects his concentration of prayer.

Conclusion

Perhaps that’s why many saints across Christianity chose a path of ‘isolation’ (e. g. the desert order by St. Anthony or the order by St. Francis of Assisi) so that they can concentrate more in communion with the Living Christ without these ‘disturbances’ from their surroundings otherwise.

So, for a fully concentrated private prayer and communion with the Living Christ, we must make “personal times for prayer within where we are all alone” (e. g. in our room) as Christ often “withdrew” from the “crowds” too as recorded in the Gospels (e. g. in Verse below, which proves this to be an Imitation of Christ too):

“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” (Luke 5:16, NASB)

P/S:

The Devil may cause ‘disturbances’ in our surroundings or ‘try to keep us busy with worldly pursuits’ so that we ‘miss this Imitation of Christ’.

Who knows what ‘gifts’ and ‘peace’ we may forfeit as Christians when we ‘fail’ to practice this aspect? (just a thought)

Such a “private prayer” (all alone) is seeked more by God than ‘public prayers’ (e. g. in prayer meetings) as the New Testament Verse below itself Testifies Beautifully as our Blessed Lord Commanded:

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:6, NASB)

Emphasis:

“… you, … pray, … inner room, close your door … pray … secret, … Father … sees … done in secret … reward you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:6, NASB)