Ezra 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV) In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.

The issue of translations has been going on since the fall of the tower of Babel.

Genesis 11:7 English Standard Version (ESV) Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.

This confusion makes it difficult for us to understand each other clearly.

Acts 2:1-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

¹ When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

God wants all men to come to know Him with understanding without translation. God wants to speak to each of us in our own tongue. Much effort has been made to translate the bible into every language on earth and I am not sure if that has been accomplished yet. What I do know is that God meant to speak to each of us without translation. The power of the Holy Spirit needs no translator for He knows each and every one of us intimately.

It is vital for each of us to hear the Holy Spirit regardless of how the gospel was presented to those who speak another language.

Isaiah 19:21a English Standard Version (ESV) And the Lord will make himself known . . . .

Matthew 6:6 English Standard Version (ESV) 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.

A primary truth that is required but does not affect our eternal salvation is prayer. Prayer in this sense is meant to be a personal conversation. So often we assume the position of talking and spend very little time listening. What kind of relationship do you have with anyone if only one party speaks and when they are through, they get up and leave? This is about relationship and what you make of your prayer time sets the tenor of the relationship.

The issue of privacy is one of not allowing distractions to interrupt the conversation. Most of us see anything that makes noise is a distraction, like family, television, radio, traffic and such. What if the greatest distraction is your inability to calm your fears, doubts, pains and worrisome troubles? You will often see the necessity for prayer to be any or all of those internal distractions. How can you listen for that still small voice if you cannot quiet your mind after you have talked about them?

At this point I could give you a list of things I do or do not do during my quiet time. This is your relationship and not mine. God wants a relationship not a set of rules to be followed. Any formula for success in any relationship has to be sincerity. Be honest with yourself and develop a relationship with God that is personal.

Just as an added note because it is important, that secret place is in your heart.

Ephesians 2:22 English Standard Version (ESV) In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by (in) the Spirit.