My guest writer is Barbara Harvey Carter, an Author, Registered Nurse, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and AODA Counselor. She enjoys Christian counseling, speaking and participating at Christian and community events. She has a passion for women’s issues and a burden for victims of domestic abuse because “it hurts and destroys individuals and families!”

You can follow Barbara on:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.harveycarter?ref=ts&fref=ts

and on her blog at www.speakerteacherstoryteller.com.

FIND YOUR SECRET PLACE

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  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 6:5-5 (NIV)

I set up an altar in my spare bedroom attempting to set aside a special place for me to meet with the Lord without distractions. I used it quite often when I first set it up and enjoyed lying prostrate before the Lord in front of my altar. I’m not sure if age played a part or I began to take the altar for granted and didn’t pursue God as passionately as earlier; but I didn’t get the same feeling of being in the presence of the Lord after a while. I know, it’s not always about feelings; but I do like to feel like I’ve met with Jesus and been in communion with God when I spend time in prayer.

I was surprised to discover that I felt the presence of God just as strongly when I sought Him with all of my heart in my bedroom as I did in front of the altar. To be honest, as I aged, I was uncomfortable on my knees for an extended period of time; or I was too cold on the carpeted floor during the winter; and too cold or hot (depending on if the air conditioner was on or not) during the summer.

I learned that the ‘spot’ you seek God is not as important as the condition of your heart. When Jesus said “Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,” He was talking about the ‘door’ of our hearts – shut out all distractions, worldly thoughts – and focus totally on God during your/our time of prayer.

I can now enter into ‘my room’ when I’m driving, cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, exercising, as well as when I curve in front of my altar or bow on my knees at the side of my bed.