As we start to concentrate on God, we will gradually learn to disregard opinions and expectations of people regarding the spiritual life. In greater and greater measure, we will allow the Spirit to teach and to lead us to our highest good.

At some point of our life, we either were taught by others how to pray or saw them praying; and their style of communication with God deeply affected us. Even now we unconsciously take upon ourselves prevailing mental attitudes of people around us, imitate their patterns of speech and action. When it comes to prayer, we are trying to put together "the right words", as if its effectiveness depends on particular verbal expression. If our prayers are successful, we are more inclined to hold on to our verbalizations.

As we consciously enter the Presence of God, let us empty ourselves. Only empty vessels can be filled. Let us forget habitual words and phrases, and to think and speak freely, as if we never prayed before. This suggestion might be scary to those who value people's opinions above their own. Nevertheless, it is an important step of our inner development. "He that would be a man must first be a nonconformist", wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was absolutely right.

In the New Testament, Pharisees represent the mental tendency to seek approval of others, taken to the extreme. Jesus clearly pointed out that public attention is the only reward they will get. And if we are interested in something more significant than a reputation of a deeply religious person, we need to get beyond that tendency.

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6:5

We will underestimate the lesson of our Master if we will identify Pharisees with certain religious groups, either ancient or new. Both the Christ and Pharisees are within each of us. They are different stages of our consciousness, and our choice is to determine which one will be our controlling force.

But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6

Most of teachers I've read or heard insist that these words of Jesus are not to be taken literally, that they refer to "the inner sanctuary" of our heart. While I wholly agree with the second part, I still think that accepting His suggestion at its face value will greatly benefit us.

In order to grow in power and effectiveness of prayer, let us find an opportunity to be alone. Let us take time to stay in solitude: together with God.

Some people are never comfortable to be alone. They are desperately searching for a company to be with, or at least for someone to talk over the phone. More than that, they cannot stand silence. There is always a TV, or a radio, or a tape player turned on in their home; and it could be that they all are screaming at the same time. Perhaps, the underlying reason for living in such a noise is that those individuals do not know themselves, do not love themselves, and even afraid of themselves. Not being able to live with themselves, they are looking for ways to stay absorbed in outer world.

True spiritual life returns us to ourselves: to our inner core, to our roots. We discover the freedom and the courage to be in charge or our own life. First comes the root, then branches. When we use the Christ power to control our inner realm and to stay attuned to the Source, our outer life will unfold smoothly and harmoniously.