“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ Matthew 6:5-13 (NIV)
Jesus, again, gives us a heart check. Almost like He’s asking, “are you praying to build a relationship with me or a reputation with others?”
Ouch! How often do we pray because we want to look good in front of someone we want to impress. Maybe the inlaws are visiting and you offer to pray. Your family looks at you as if they have seen a ghost and then you quote the prayer off “Meet the parents” saying “day by day by day, three things we pray…”
Is prayer something you do to impress someone or is it something you do to get closer to Jesus and what He wants for your life?
Prayer is simple and Jesus shows us the simplicity of his prayer.
Declare God’s greatness.
Surrender my will.
Acknowledge my dependence on God for His provision, protection, and pardon.
Don’t make prayer about your reputation but your relationship with God, your Father.
My next step:
Make my prayer about my relationship with God and not about my reputation with others.