"Outside the Closet" - by W. Clyde Martin

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Outside The Closet

By W. Clyde Martin

I Thessalonians 5: 16,17,18
"Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

While flying high above the waters of the Caribbean Sea at 20,000 feet, I suddenly felt the discomfort of being outside my prayer closet. On my way to a strange land to preach the gospel in a strange pulpit before people I had never met, I felt the uneasiness of being in the world of which I am not a part.

Reminding myself that I am but a pilgrim passing through this world, I let the words of Jesus pass through my mind .... "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Before the entire passage was complete in my mind, I felt the peace and warmth of His presence even as I do when I am in my closet.

Not always are we in the closet of secret prayer. When we are not in the closet, prayer must be as real for the prayer warrior as when we are alone with God.

I read recently an account of C. H. Spurgeon, that he went from laughter to prayer with ease. With Spurgeon it is said that the habit of spontaneous prayer was free and unhindered by circumstances.

Not always are we in the closet or else we could not carry out the command to go into all the world and preach. Prayer must be as spontaneous as the changing of circumstances. I remember this attitude of prayer in the life of Robert G. Lee. ( It was my privilege to serve as assistant to this great Pastor in Memphis). Once when we had just finished 18 holes of golf, he with gleeful laughter said, "Boy, didn't we have fun!" And in the next breath prayed a very boisterous yet sincere prayer for God's mercy upon a pressing situation awaiting him back at his office. This should be the attitude of all praying children of God. In the course of a day, prayer must be the unhindered flow of talking and listening to God. Such praying gives directional obedience at all times.

In the closet with the door shut; where God talks with His own, there is a sweet, almost indescribable intimacy that influences our personal pleas with the warmth of His presence. This same warmth must continue outside the closet where we find ourselves in the thick of battle raging in a hostile world. It is certain that the holy boldness to witness for our Lord in a gainsaying world is first found in the closet.

There must be closet praying! It is in the closet that we establish the beautiful habit of spontaneous praying on every occasion. When we are fresh out of the closet we are quick to pray about every turn of events. Unceasing prayer is God's avenue for His children to react to all happenings.

As a child of God we have a direct line of communication to Him and the calamities of daily living demands us to stay in constant contact. How consoling it is to know that we have the ear of God at all times. There is value of entering into the closet at first light of the day. These early hours equip us with His grace and power to face changing circumstances in the hours ahead. So whether we be inside or outside the closet of prayer; we must pray with faith and feel the presence of Christ our Lord.

W. CLYDE MARTIN is editor of The Prayer Life, monthly online magazine, dedicated to promoting greater prayer among the redeemed.