REVIVING THE INNER CHAMBER #1

"But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly."

Jesus quoted in Matthew 6:6

As the whole nation enters a season of seclusion and separation from all but our most essential connections, we as the church are presented with a tremendous opportunity. It is the opportunity to revive our connection to God in the Inner Chamber - in our most private spaces.

During this season, we would like to encourage you by offering this series, where we purpose to look at some ancient perspectives on prayer and prayer practices held throughout the ages.

In this, our first blog in the series, let's revisit the words of Jesus describing prayer as a secluded, personal experience.

Prayer is not primarily meant to be driven by requests and petitions. It is a daily opportunity to tether our hearts to the One who restores to us our original identity. It is a daily opportunity to gain eternal perspective on our temporary circumstances, acknowledge our dependence on someone outside of ourselves, with all the comfort, trust and protection that affords. It is a daily opportunity to examine ourselves and acknowledge our need for forgiveness and repentance.

In the light of the secret hidden space that prayer occupies, let's start this series by looking at a type of prayer that helps us bring the secret spaces in our being to God, as we come into His secret place.

If you are not accustomed to pray in this way, we would like to offer you the following guideline molded from the prayers of St Ignatius, called the EXAMEN*.

1. Recall and rejoice

To start the conversation, you can draw from The Lord's prayer, or any portion of scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance. Recall your encounter with the Gospel and rejoice in the saving grace of Jesus, and how it has the power to alter your being.

Walk through the last 24 hours of your life, attempting to identify where God was at work,

thanking Him for every good thing, however small or painful.

What happened today?

What was good today?

Where was God today?

2. Review and Repent

To pray alone offers the opportunity to be completely honest with God and yourself about your own state. 1 Cor 13 offers us a beautiful picture of God's love. It is the one law Jesus reiterated - to Love God and others. Use this as a barometer and examine yourself and acknowledge your need for God's forgiveness.

What was bad today?

What attitudes, words and actions do I need to apologise for today?

3. Receive and Resolve

God's forgiveness is offered so that we may have boldness and be free from shame. Allow your heart to receive God's pardon and guidance in how to resolve the consequences of sin.

What might I need to do to make amends, and work out my repentance with others?

How can I be different tomorrow?

This prayer is a powerful tool for self-examination. What better use of the Inner Chamber than to become open and honest about ourselves with God, for we are already fully known by Him. There is such potential in knowing that even as we are fully known before Him, he longs to reveal His fullness to us also.

Psalm 25:14 (AMP Classic)

"The secret (of the sweet, satisfying companionship) of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will shown them His covenant and reveal to them its (deep, inner) meaning.

*Reference: 2015 GREIG, P. & ROBERTS, D. Red Moon Rising. Rediscover the power of prayer. p125-126.