"Mom's Closet"

When mothers weep, prayer vigils keep,

Because a son’s astray,

Push came to shove, but her strong love,

Could keep the wolves at bay.

Those times I ran, and still l can,

Remember how it went,

At every turn, I came to learn,

That God His Spirit sent.

To track me down and then surround,

Me strong with heaven’s hedge,

To draw me in, back home again,

Though so close to the edge.

‘Twas Mama’s prayers and casting cares,

Upon the Savior long,

Her closet space, to seek God’s face,

That turned me from my wrong.

And then time came, He called her name,

She crossed to heaven’s shore,

Faith now sight, God’s love and light,

Are hers forevermore.

Time goes fast, and now at last,

I’m not that far behind,

Till then I’ll preach and sinners teach,

So they salvation find.

I find that space and seek God’s face,

For those who wander still,

So they come back and get on track,

And let the Spirit fill.

And those who turn will quickly learn,

God’s grace is true and real,

What Mom once prayed with me has stayed,

Her answered prayers I feel.

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then. your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6, NLT)

Jesus is not making a case against praying in public. But He is emphasizing the need for a private prayer life that no one sees but God. If we pray to “be seen” as Jesus described, the whole spiritual purpose of prayer becomes meaningless. This is because it’s all about connecting with God about the things that concern us. We cannot manipulate the Lord, but our consistent prayer times help us align ourselves with His will, intercede for others, and see things from His perspective. Never doubt that sincere intercession makes a huge difference, though it’s all a wonderful, adventurous, miraculous mystery, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, help us learn to pray, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.