What is a prayer closet?

what does the bible say?

The main teaching we have on a “prayer closet” in Scripture is Matthew 6, in which Jesus contrasts those who pray in public to gain others’ admiration with instructions for His disciples to pray in the inner-most area of their homes, as far away from the public as possible. The word “room” is the Greek tameion meaning an inner storage chamber or secret room. Jesus was communicating that prayer is about God, not about the watching world. The prophet Daniel came before the time of Jesus, but it is clear from Daniel 6:10-12, that there was a particular place he would go to pray, although this area was not as concealed as the one Jesus describes in Matthew 6:5–6. At its core, Jesus’ teaching is about being sincere in prayer, praying from the heart, a point covered in both the Old and New Testament (Isaiah 29:13; Hosea 7:14; James 5:16; Hebrews 10:22).

from the old testament

• The prophet Daniel had a specific place he would pray, though it was not as private as the kind of place Jesus describes (Daniel 6:10-12). Although Daniel was apparently visible to some while he prayed, we know that his intention was not to gain the admiration of others. In fact, his prayers resulted in persecution.

from the new testament

• In Matthew 6:1-6, Jesus starts with expressing the importance of doing righteous deeds for the glory of the Father rather than the glory of men—communciating that if we live righteously for the right reasons we will be rewarded by God. He then touches on the self-seeking actions of the religious leaders of the time, instructing His followers to avoid doing such actions. In verses 5–6, Jesus mentions going to one’s room, shutting the door, and praying to God in secret, since those who pray to God for the sake of their relationship with Him rather than the admiration of others will receive a reward from God.
• James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” God reads hearts. He knows our motives when we pray.

implications for today

Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 6:1-6 is less about where you pray and more about not drawing attention to our piety or self-righteousness when we pray. Prayer, giving, and serving are all responses to God’s goodness to us, rather than ways to show others our own goodness. The concept of a “prayer closet” is simply to remember that prayer is about fellowship with God. A “prayer closet” can be anywhere we can have uninterrupted intimacy with God. With that being said, some Christians take Jesus’ admonition literally and set aside a room, or even a closet, dedicated to prayer—which can certainly be a beneficial practice. However, most Christians who follow Jesus’ instruction simply identify a specific, quiet place in which to pray regularly. Many also use their “prayer closet” for Bible study, which makes sense as God speaks to us through His Word, and studying the Bible goes hand-in-h and with praying. Overall, Jesus’ instruction is less about where we pray and more about the mistake of drawing attention to our piety or self-righteousness as we pray. He preaches about praying, giving, and serving as a response to God’s goodness to us, rather than a way to show others our own goodness.

Recap

understand

• A prayer closet is a place where people can pray to God privately and uninterrupted.
• Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 encourages us to pray with sincerity to God.
• The place we pray is less important than ensuring that our prayers are heartfelt and focused on God.

reflect

• How intentional are you in creating a private space or time to pray to God without distractions?
• When you pray alone, how does your focus and sincerity differ from when you pray with others?
• What practices help you keep your prayer time genuine and uninterrupted, even in a busy life?

engage

• How can we avoid performative prayers?
• What does it look like to let our light shine before others (Matthew 5:16) while still giving all glory to God?
• In what ways can using a “prayer closet” or quiet space enhance both personal intimacy with God and corporate prayer life?