Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? Do you feel at a loss as where to start or what to pray to overcome a specific spiritual battle? When you search the Internet, there are many ‘things you can do’ and ‘steps you can follow’ to overcome and see breakthroughs. But there is an aspect in prayer that is not always spoken of.
Following are some thoughts on the power of hidden prayer. These are times that bring refreshing. Times alone with God. But what are the secrets to such a prayer life? And can I apply them to my life too? Following are 10 thoughts that may change the way you view prayer!
1. Intimacy vs performance
It is not necessary to try and impress the Lord with fancy language when we pray. Rather, He invites us into personal fellowship where masks fall away and love flows freely. He knows our weaknesses and flaws. He cherishes our sincerity over perfection. Approach prayer as a child approaching a loving Father. Speak honestly, not religiously. Make time to just be with Him.
Call on His name: Abba Father (Romans 8:15), thank You for caring for me with a tender loving heart. Thank You for loving me despite the weaknesses I see in myself. I call You Abba Father.
2. Hidden prayer shapes public power
Jesus’ secret times with the Father were the source of His public effectiveness. Often He withdrew to pray alone, and often throughout the night. ‘Power’ doesn’t come from the platform but from the prayer closet. Consider your prayer times with the Lord – how much time do you give to the Lord in comparison to ministry time? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you gain your spiritual strength in the Lord from moments only God sees.
Call on His name: El Shaddai – God Almighty (Genesis 17:1), thank You that in You I can do all things. Thank You for filling me with the power of Your Holy Spirit when I rest in You in the secret place of prayer. I call You El Shaddai.
3. The secret place and identity
In quiet moments with God, when really becoming still before Him, we can hear Him ‘call’ us by name. Simple. With a tone that says: I love you unconditionally. Moments like that help us understand, He loves because of Himself, not what we can do for Him. Moments in the secret place in God’s Word reshape how we see ourselves. Consider reading and praying through verses that speak about God as your Father, and that affirm your sonship and acceptance.
Call on His name: Jehovah Mekoddishkem – The Lord who sanctifies (Leviticus 20:8), thank You for cleansing me from everything that separates me from Your love. Thank You for setting me apart for Your glory and defining who I am in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. I call You Jehovah Mekoddishkem.
4. Consistency matters more than intensity
It is easy to feel guilty if you have skipped your times with God for a day or two. It can happen to anyone. I once heard someone say, “long obedience in the same direction will lead to a life of victory”. Although we never want to skip our times with God, consistency – in other words, picking up on your times with God again and again, pitching in the place of prayer and devotion repeatedly is more important than having one intense encounter with God and then going without any time with Him for months. A steady rhythm of prayer builds intimacy. God values faithful, small steps more than occasional sprints of zeal. Consider setting daily, realistic times for prayer. Start small and build a rhythm. Even 10 minutes a day can transform your life over time.
Call on His name: El Olam – The Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33), thank You for the Holy Spirit who draws me to the place of prayer over and over again, Who stirs up my soul to seek fellowship with You day after day. You are indeed the Everlasting God! I call you El Olam!
5. Silence is also prayer
Imagine that a friend who is visiting you never stops speaking from the moment they arrive until they leave? That would leave you frustrated! In the same way, we have to cultivate moments of stillness in our prayer times. This is where you set your heart towards the Lord, listening to hear Him speak. Stillness creates room for hearing God’s voice. In silence, your spirit is tuned to His whisper — deeper than noise, beyond words. Schedule time to sit in silence with God. Don’t rush to speak — wait on Him, and trust that He speaks in stillness.
Call on His name: Jehovah Shalom – The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24). Prince of Peace, thank You for allowing me to rest in moments of silence. Thank You for quieting and restoring my soul with Your presence. I wait on You. I call you Jehovah Shalom!
6. God rewards what is done in secret
When God sent Samuel to anoint a king in the stead of Saul, he mistakenly thought one of the brothers of David would be a suitable king. However, heaven sees what we cannot. David’s devoted life of worshipping God among the sheep in the fields, moved the heart of God, and he became God’s chosen one to lead all of Israel. In the same way, God treasures your unseen obedience and devotion in prayer. He will certainly answer faithfulness with divine favour. Trust God’s timing. Keep praying, giving and serving when no one sees.
Call on His name: Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14), I trust in Your provision at the right time in the perfect way. Thank You for watching over every moment in my life. I call You Jehovah Jireh!
7. Honesty unlocks deeper fellowship
One aspect of the sinful nature is our ‘feeling of shame’. Shame can cause us, like Adam and Eve, to ‘hide’ from God. Hide our true feelings, our true struggles because we think He will reject us if we come before Him in all honesty. However, truth is, God isn’t shocked by our struggles. Real relationship with Him begins when we open up in honesty. Pour out your heart, including your doubts and wounds to Him in prayer. Truthfulness and honesty will bring a freedom that might surprise you! Rest in His healing presence.
Call on His name: Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26), thank You for never rejecting me, but always embracing me when I open my heart to You. Help me not to hold back any pain or hurt, but to cast it all upon You, letting go of the weight of shame and guilt. I call You Jehovah Rapha.
8. The Word and prayer build faith
Sometimes we do not know what or how to pray about conflicting or difficult matters. As we spend time in God’s Word and find struggles similar to our own in the lives of Biblical characters, it helps us to pray and understand God’s will. When Scripture fuels your prayer, faith increases. Pray a verse each day. Turn the sentences in your Bible into conversation with God. Let the Bible shape your prayer language.
Call on His name: Logos – The Word (John 1:1), thank You for teaching me to pray according to the Word. As I pray Your Word, my words will never fall to the ground but accomplish all that You want it to do (Isaiah 55:11).
9. Deserts cultivate deeper dependence
Seasons of feeling spiritually dry form part of our walk with God throughout our lives. Especially if you carry responsibility in ministry, it can be quite overwhelming when you go through a spiritual desert and have to still take care of the needs of others! We never know beforehand how long such a season will last. It challenges us to the core of our walk with the Lord, exposes our true self, and shows areas of spiritual barrenness. It humbles us to realise that spiritual fruit and breakthrough is a grace and not a given. Therefore, do not quit when prayer feels empty. Stay, seek and wait. The desert is where manna falls.
Call on His name: Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is My Banner (Exodus 17:15), thank You that I am never alone. You always cover me with Your lovingkindness, whether I can feel it or not. Thank You for leading me, even in the wilderness. I choose to rest under the banner of Your love. I call You Jehovah Nissi.
10. The secret place prepares you for spiritual battle
How do we know that a season of spiritual battle is approaching? Before the enemy attacks, God trains you. How do you discern His training? The secret place is your war room where He forges your armour for a specific nearing battle. He trains you through the Scriptures you read, meditate and pray. Use your prayer time to put on the full armour of God. Intercede, declare truth, and stand firm.
Call on His name: Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts (1 Samuel 1:3), I am never alone, You are always with me. You are the commander of heavenly armies fighting on my behalf. Thank You for training my hands for war and preparing me for seasons of battle. I call You Jehovah Sabaoth.
