PRAY IN SECRET

Passage: Matthew 6:5-8

Key verse: 6

NIV

Prayer(A)

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing(B) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(C) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling(D) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.(E) 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need(F) before you ask him.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Lord's Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love (A)to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. (B)Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, (C)go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. (D)And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as (E)the Gentiles do, for (F)they think that they will be heard (G)for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, (H)for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do not pray like the hypocrites (5)

The Pharisees liked to be seen dressed in their long robes, standing in the synagogue praying long prayers with many pious words. They wanted everyone to see that they were devout. Even pagans babble prayers. Pagans are people who don't worship God; they worship themselves and act and react according to the opinions (real or imagined) of other people. The reward they receive is worthless. People's opinions are as changeable as the Chicago weather.

2. Pray to your Father who is unseen (6-8)

Jesus taught us that God is our heavenly Father. He loves us and he wants us to spend time talking with him. So, even though we sometimes pray with others or pray a representative prayer in the worship service, we must also make time to be alone with God. He already knows what we need, but he wants us to come and ask him--and thank him when he answers. Prayer is like spiritual breathing. It is necessary to spiritual life.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to give priority to personal prayer time.

One Word: Pray to your Father--he knows