“Prayer is simple, yet challenging, in our distracted world.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 12, 2025
By Jill Turner
But 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
Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty? Could it be because your soul is missing something you’re not feeding it? We were made for God, and we’ll never be satisfied until we’re spending time with him regularly. I recognize I need to hear this myself. I can feel when my soul is starving.
God created us in His image, profoundly connected to Him. He put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) so we would long to be with him forever Him, and He made us alive right now, in the places where we are, “so we could seek Him, and perhaps feel our way toward Him and find Him” (Acts 17:27).
Adam and Eve walked with God before sin entered the world. They knew Him so intimately they could recognize His footsteps in the garden. Though sin broke that closeness, through Christ, we’re invited back into intimate relationship. Jesus came to reconcile us to God, and the way we communicate in this reconciled relationship is through prayer.
Yet, I don’t know many churches that actually disciple people in how to pray.
Jesus gave practical guidance. In Matthew 6, before he taught the Lord’s prayer, He said, “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.”
It’s simple, yet challenging, in our distracted world. Our culture and our devices don’t leave any space for us to practice sitting quietly in our rooms, but that’s exactly what Jesus is teaching. Find a quiet place. Close the door. Shut out distractions. Learn to be comfortable in solitude, and set your focus on Him.
If your own random thoughts bother you while you’re praying, keeping, shoo them away and refocus on Jesus. Pray, praise God for who He is, thank Him for what He’s done for you, ask for what you need. Ask what’s on His heart. Sing or pray Scripture (Philippians 4:6-7). If prayer feels difficult, start by just sitting quietly in His presence and just “turning your eyes upon Jesus.”
Keep a notepad nearby to write down anything you want to remember, or journal your prayers to watch how God responds over time.
God is nearer than you think. He wants you to draw close to Him. He loves you, and He’s waiting for you to come to Him.
Prayer
Father, show me what it’s like to have a real, conversational relationship with you. Let me grow in the confidence that you are my Father and Friend, and let me grow in my faith as I learn to regularly come to you.
Application
Choose the place you will pray to God each day. Put your notebook or journal and Bible there. Even if you only have a few minutes, tell Him you’re making this time and place just for Him, and go there as often as you can.
Related Reading
Matthew 6:6, 9-13; Ephesians 5:19-20; Philippians 4:6-7
Worship Resource
Lauren Daigle: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
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