*The Power of Personal Prayer*

As Christians, we must follow the teachings of Christ. Throughout the ministry and life of Jesus, we see that He relied heavily on prayer. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus advises:

“But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.”

*Why Did Jesus Want Us to Pray Privately?*

Many people pray publicly to seek the praise of others, but such prayers offer no real reward. Jesus cautioned against this behavior, similar to the Pharisees, who prayed to showcase their righteousness while lacking a genuine relationship with the Heavenly Father. Public prayer may be more about others than about your own connection with God.
Additionally, in group prayer, individuals may feel hesitant to share secret sins and weaknesses they prefer to keep private. This reluctance can hinder true deliverance. Jesus wanted us to pour our hearts out to Him, just as He desires to share His deep truths.

*”Personal Prayer Trains You to Be a Real Fighter Against the Enemy.”*

Some individuals, including certain pastors, discourage personal prayer by claiming it attracts attacks from the devil. While this may have some truth, the challenges made it difficult but not impossible to overcome.

*”Privately Praying is the Zone of Prayer Where You Encounter Jesus’s Presence, as well as Sometimes Satan’s Presence.”*

This private prayer time strengthens and prepares you to be used for God’s glory. When you first start praying privately, you may fear loneliness or hear unsettling noises, as I and some church members have experienced. However, as you continue to grow spiritually, you will find victory over your fears.

*Personal Prayer is a Zone Where God Prepares You as a Warrior*
For example, in 1 Samuel chapter 17, David defeated Goliath after spending time alone shepherding his sheep in the wilderness. God trained him to use a sling against lions and wolves during those solitary moments, not knowing that the same sling would defeat Goliath. Your prayer room—where you spend quality time alone with the Almighty—is your wilderness, preparing you for a significant purpose in God’s plan. Similarly, John the Baptist grew strong in spirit in the wilderness, as stated in Luke 1:80:

“And the little boy grew and became strong in spirit; he was in the deserts (wilderness) until the day of his appearing to Israel [the commencement of his public ministry].”

*Personal Prayer is Undisturbed Prayer*
Imagine having an appointment with the President; if your phone rings repeatedly while you are with him, it would be disrespectful. Similarly, some people engage in other activities, such as checking emails or social media notifications, during prayer.
To honor the Almighty God, who is the President of all leaders, we should eliminate disturbances. Personal prayer should be a focused and undisturbed time.

.*A Personal Testimony*
In 2019, when I faced significant attacks from the devil, leading me to contemplate suicide, I made the decision to pray privately every day. Initially, nothing changed. I sinned and made mistakes, yet I continued to seek Jesus’s help. However, after one year of consistent prayer, He has transformed my life and delivered me from those attacks. Today, I have become a Pastor and serving God. I encourage you to spend time alone with Jesus regularly; soon, you will receive your reward openly.