--- title: "When You Pray | The Tree Church" url: https://thetree.church/blog/2026/04/01/when-you-pray description: "Jesus doesn't say" lang: en --- 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ Blog (https://thetree.church/blog) Take 20: https://thetree.church/blog/category/take-20 # When You Pray April 1st, 2026 by Tree Church Everyday Image: When You Pray (https://base44.app/api/apps/6ac2bb755fa612c2228960ca/files/mp/public/6ac2bb755fa612c2228960ca/b7d3a7261_18228690_1024x1024_2500.jpg) Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: **Matthew 6:5–15** Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life. ** Jesus doesn't say "if you pray" but "when you pray." He assumes His followers will have a consistent prayer life. But notice what He emphasizes: authenticity over performance, intimacy over image. God isn't impressed with public displays or eloquent words—He rewards those who genuinely seek Him in secret. There's something sacred about shutting the door, removing distractions, and being real with God. In that private place, pretense falls away. You don't need to impress Him; you need to encounter Him. "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you." The reward isn't always what we expect—sometimes it's peace in chaos, strength in weakness, or clarity in confusion. The greatest reward is God Himself—His presence, His perspective, His power. Today, find your secret place. Shut the door. Pour out your heart. God is listening.** **Are your prayers more about being heard by others or connecting deeply with God?** Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer… 1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you). 2. Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: **Invite God into an honest, unfiltered conversation—share your real thoughts, fears, and desires with Him.** 3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today. **Faith Steps:** 1. Create a quiet, distraction-free space where you can consistently meet with God. 2. Spend time in prayer today focusing on honesty rather than perfect words. Posted in Take 20 (https://thetree.church/blog/category/take-20)Authenticity (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/authenticity)Intimacy (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/intimacy)Unstoppable Force (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/unstoppable-force)