Most of us have things we hesitate sharing even with our closest friends, things we keep hidden away in a corner of our minds. God wants us to unburden ourselves completely in private prayer: one-on-one with Him. It’s not that He needs any information. The Almighty knows our secret fears, hidden motives, and buried resentments better than we do ourselves. But we need to open up our hearts to the One who knows us intimately and loves us infinitely. Healing can begin only when Jesus can touch the wounds. We need to admit our problems and recognize our needs. Growth can come only when Jesus can reach our greatest weaknesses.

When we pray, Jesus our High Priest is near to help us in every time of need:

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to SYMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES, but we have one who has been TEMPTED IN EVERY WAY, JUST AS WE ARE—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
—Hebrews 4:15, 16.

Do you feel anxious, stressed-out, guilty? Lay it out before the Lord. Prayer brings us within the circle of Christ’s mercy and grace. He can then supply our every need.

Should we have a special place for private prayer?

“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
—Matthew 6:6.

In addition to praying when walking in the street, working on the job, or enjoying a social gathering, every Christian should have a time set aside each day for personal prayer. Daniel, the top government official in Babylon and a mighty man of God, prayed three times a day—morning, noon, and night. Almost all growing Christians have a set time and place to spend with God in Bible study and prayer. Make your daily appointment with God at the time when you feel most alert and can concentrate the best.