The Secret of Prayer: “Enter vs. Close” and “Tell vs. Answer”

 

The Secret of Prayer: “Enter vs. Close” and “Tell vs. Answer”

Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, enter into your private room, and shut your door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

Aspect	The Secret of Prayer: “Enter vs. Close” and “Tell vs. Answer”
Meaning	“Enter” signifies stepping into a realm of personal fellowship with God, away from human eyes.  “Close” signifies shutting off all outward distractions and the natural display of the flesh. “Tell” (prayer) is man’s communication toward the Father; “Answer” is the Father’s inward response and life-supply.
Reason	The Lord taught His disciples that true prayer is not for display before men but for communion with the Father in secret. Such prayer deals with the self and the flesh, producing genuine growth in divine life.
Distinction	“Enter” is an active turning toward God; “Close” is a defensive separation from the world and the self. “Tell” is human expression; “Answer” is divine response. “Enter & Close” concern the direction of prayer;  “Tell & Answer” concern the relationship in prayer.
Explanation	The reality of prayer lies not in form or location but in secrecy. The Father “who sees in secret” values the inner reality more than outward expression. Hypocritical prayer exposes the flesh; secret prayer nurtures divine life and reflects God’s hidden nature.
Purpose	To make prayer a matter of life-union, not religious performance; to deny the self and the flesh so that believers may grow in divine maturity. The goal is not an external reward but inward life-growth.
Example	Jesus often withdrew to pray alone—Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12 while the Pharisees prayed publicly for attention—Matthew 6:5.
Application	Practice entering the “inner chamber” of your spirit and closing the door to natural thoughts and human observation. Pray to the Father in secret, confident that He who sees in secret will “answer” with life and supply.
Interrelation	“Enter” and “Close” are complementary—without closing, entering is exposed; without entering, closing becomes isolation. “Tell” draws forth “Answer.” “Enter & Close” prepare for “Tell & Answer”; “Tell & Answer” fulfill “Enter & Close.”
Burden	God desires a people who commune with Him in secret, growing in life rather than displaying religious acts. True spiritual growth occurs when the self is denied and the flesh subdued through hidden prayer.
Prophetic Exhortation	The reality of prayer is entering into the spirit as the inner room, closing the door of the natural life, and speaking to the Father in the Spirit. Hypocrisy must be rejected; the Kingdom people live by hidden prayer and unseen righteousness.
Conclusion	The secret of prayer lies not in outward sound but inward fellowship. Entering and closing the door brings us into the Father’s presence; His seeing and answering in secret result in life-growth, the killing of the self, and victory over the flesh.
Related Scriptures	Matthew 6:5–6 – Do not pray to be seen by men, but in secret. Mark 1:35 – “In the morning, while it was still dark, He went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.” Luke 6:12 – “He went out to the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.” Psalm 91:1 – “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Colossians 3:3 – “Your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Matthew 6:18 – “Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

 

🕊️ Core Spiritual Insights

1.      “Enter” means entering the spirit—God’s presence; “Close” means shutting off the self and the flesh.

2.      The Father’s “seeing” is truer than man’s seeing; His “reward” is His inner answering with life.

3.      True prayer results not in outward blessing but in life growth and self-denial.

4.      Hidden prayer is the nature of the Kingdom people—rich inwardly, unseen outwardly.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 5: The Kingdom's People Have Personal Prayer Experiences, Contacting Their Heavenly Father in Secret, and Experiencing the Secret Enjoyment of the Father.