Day 1: Faith That Brings Us Close

Today's Scripture

“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. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!”
—Matthew 6:6-8 (NLT)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
— Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

Reflect on the Word

In Matthew 6, we find Jesus at the center of His Sermon on the Mount, leading His disciples
into a new and radical way of living out their faith. As He approaches the subject of prayer, He
instructs them to “shut the door” and “enter into.” For the disciples, this meant shutting the door
to prayer motivated by performance, measured by eloquence and validated by the admiration
of others.

Some of these things may be true for us, as well. Or perhaps, for us, it means closing the door to
prayer motivated by fear, shame or obligation.

Next, Jesus instructs His disciples to “enter into” a private room. It’s in the private room we are
invited into true communion with the One who already sees and knows everything. We find this
place is occupied by a throne of grace. We are in the presence of Jesus, our great high priest, who
is sympathetic to our weakness, merciful, full of wisdom and willing to give us everything
we need.

Companionship with our Savior fuels a boldness of faith that comes from having met mercy and
grace face to face. In the private room, we leave behind the things that hinder us from fully experiencing His love and embrace the path of service set before us. As we enter into the fullness
of His joy, He readies us to participate in the miraculous plans for a world in need of redemption.

Prayer + Contemplation

1. Take a moment to decide what attitudes or hindrances you want to surrender as you
   step into communion with the Lord.
2. Pray that the Lord will use your 21 days of prayer and fasting to bring refreshment
   and freedom as you enter into His presence.
3. Pray that your deepened companionship with Jesus will create a boldness of faith as
   you pray for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in others.