Secret Places

But you, when you pray, go into a closet and shut the door and pray to God in secret...

There is no possibility of an direct encounter with God witout secrecy. And in fact, there is no prayer without secrecy.

Churches are sometimes quiet place and secret. If they are then they make a good refuge from the intolerable arrogance of society. Churches can often be more secret than one’s own home, even if you live alone. Home has too many diversions. But it is these undisturbed, dimly lit shadows where you may remain nameless. And the very lack of decor can make them yet more secret. Just as long as they are darkened it makes little difference. As long as they are not vulgar. Houses of God. God’s silent presence. Where your mind can be idle. The same can be so in the natural world. Centring, quieting magnitude. Lowlands do best for this. Vast plains. Inland marsh-seas. Each of these places may help you pray even when you do not know how to pray. You can breathe easy. You can be still and be stilled.You can breathe naturally and not in gulps. Descend into silence. Where your true self worships YHWH in natural silence.

There is no contemplative prayer, no chance of a genuine encounter with God, where there is no secret.

But you, when you pray, go into a closet and shut the door and pray to God in secret...