Chapter III.
In giving instructions on prayer, he reconciles the words of Christ and the Apostles, declaring that the room where Christ speaks should be interpreted as referring to the secrecy and silence of the heart.
Now, how we ought to pray, take note. There are many virtues of prayer. Where we ought to pray is not a small, nor a mediocre question. The apostle says: But I will that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and disputing (1 Timothy 2:8). And the Lord says in the gospel: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber; and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father (Matthew 6:6). Does it not seem contradictory to you, that the apostle says: Pray in every place; and the Lord says: Enter into thy chamber, and pray? But it is not the opposite. Therefore, let us complete this: then how you should begin a speech, and in what order to distinguish, what to develop, what to cite, how to conclude a speech, then for whom you should pray: let us discuss all these things.
First, where should you pray? Paul seems to say one thing, and the Lord another. Does Paul contradict Christ's teachings? Certainly not. How so? Because he is not a adversary, but an interpreter of Christ: Be imitators of me, he says, as I am of Christ. So what? You can pray anywhere, and always pray in your own room. You have your room everywhere. Even if you are among the Gentiles, among the Jews; you still have your secret place everywhere. Your mind is your own room. Although placed among the people, you still preserve your secret and hidden self within.
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:6). So let not your prayer be only with your lips. Focus your mind entirely, enter into the innermost recess of your heart, enter with your whole self. Let not the one you want to please see you as superficial. Let them see that you pray from the heart, so that they may deign to hear you as one who prays from the heart.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)
What is a closed door? Listen to what door you have that you should close when you pray. If only women would listen! You have already heard; the holy David taught you, saying: Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth, and a door around my lips (Psalm 140:3). There is another door, which the apostle Paul says: That the door of the word may be opened to me to speak the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:3); that is, when you pray, do not shout in your speech, nor spread your prayer, nor boast among the people. In your secret place, pray, secure that he may be able to hear you in secret, who sees all things and hears all things. And pray to your Father in secret, who hears you in secret while you are praying.