5 Ways Every Praying Man is a Hunter (Matthew 6:6)
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Matthew 6:6 (KJV) says, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Prayer can be likened to hunting—a pursuit requiring focus, solitude, patience, and ultimate reward. Let’s explore how every praying man mirrors the heart of a hunter in the five key ways.
#1 – Focused Intention
A hunter’s attention is singular: his goal is to find and catch his prey. Every distraction, whether from the environment or his/her thoughts, must be dismissed. Similarly, Jesus speaks about the importance of focusing solely on God during prayer. The praying man, like the hunter, understands that his audience is not the people around him but God alone. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of praying for public recognition, emphasizing that true prayer is a private, intentional pursuit directed solely at the Father. Like the hunter who is laser-focused on the target, the praying man must give his undivided attention to God, undistracted by the world around him. It is in this place of focus and intentionality that God meets us, rewarding our sincere and secret prayers with His presence and blessings.
#2 – A Dedicated Space
Hunting typically takes place in solitary, quiet places where a hunter can observe his surroundings without interruption. Jesus, in Matthew 6:6, instructs His followers to find a private space—a “closet”—to pray. Just as a hunter seeks the wilderness for solitude and focus, the praying man is called to retreat from the noise and distractions of daily life. This space is symbolic of a place where one can be alone with God, a sacred environment where the heart can pour out its deepest thoughts and desires. Just as hunting requires patience and solitude to be successful, so too does prayer. Creating this space—away from the distractions of the world—allows the believer to experience a deep connection with God. It is here that God reveals Himself in profound ways, hidden from the world, yet open to those who earnestly seek Him.
#3 – Seeking Something Beyond Oneself
In hunting, the hunter is seeking sustenance or the reward of the hunt. For the praying man, prayer is not just a transaction for personal gain but a pursuit of something higher—spiritual fulfillment and connection with God. The “spiritual prey” the praying man seeks is God’s reward, as mentioned in Matthew 6:6: “Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” This reward is not just material; it can be spiritual transformation, peace, or insight into God’s will. The act of prayer, like hunting, is a pursuit that stretches beyond personal needs and reaches into the divine. Jesus emphasizes that God rewards those who seek Him in secret, and these rewards are often far greater than we expect—transforming us from the inside out and aligning our hearts with His purposes.
#4 – Patience and Observation (Travail)
Hunting requires patience—the hunter waits in stillness, watching for the right moment to strike. Similarly, prayer often involves a season of waiting, when God’s presence may feel distant or silent. Just as the hunter may spend hours in silence, hoping for the right opportunity, the praying man must also endure seasons of dryness, feeling as though there is no immediate answer to his prayers. However, like the hunter who remains alert for the smallest sign of movement, the praying man must stay vigilant, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. Both activities require endurance—whether in the stand waiting for a deer or in prayer waiting for God’s response. In both cases, the rewards come not because of how quickly one acts, but through persistent waiting and trust in the process. Jeremiah 33:3 assures us that when we call to God, He will answer, revealing things beyond our understanding.
#5 – Highly Rewarding
A hunter’s reward is not just the food he gains but the experience, the mastery of his skill, and the confidence he builds along the way. Prayer, though often challenging, offers far greater rewards than what we initially seek. While we may come to God with specific needs—just as a hunter comes for the catch—God’s rewards far exceed our expectations. As Jesus explains, “Thy Father…shall reward thee openly.” The rewards from prayer come in many forms, such as spiritual transformation, peace that surpasses understanding, and divine insight. Just as the hunter gains experience and growth from his pursuits, the praying man gains wisdom, strength, and intimacy with God through prayer. Jesus’ life exemplifies this truth—He was transfigured during prayer, and He went to Gethsemane weak but left resolute in His mission. Similarly, believers are promised rewards such as spiritual transformation, the believer’s crown, and access to divine mysteries (Jeremiah 33:3). Prayer changes us from the inside out, making us more like Christ, preparing us for the challenges ahead, and positioning us to receive the blessings God has in store.
In conclusion, the greatest thrill a hunter experiences is the moment when, after hours of solitude and waiting, he realizes that he is not alone. Similarly, after spending long hours in prayer, seemingly isolated in the chapel, the praying man is overwhelmed by the presence of God. There is no hiding from God, and in prayer, it is often the man who finds himself pursued by God’s loving presence. Just as the hunter is rewarded with the fruit of his labor, the praying man receives the reward of God’s presence, guidance, and transformation. In this secret place, we realize that prayer is not just about seeking answers; it is about seeking God Himself—our ultimate reward.
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