Monday, September 26, 2016

September 27, 2016

"When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you. When you pray, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask." Matthew 6:5-8

When Jesus began His teaching on prayer He started with some things they should NOT do. 

Don't pray like the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Why?

They prayed publicly to try to impress people with their piety.

Imagine them standing on a busy street corner in downtown Jerusalem just waiting for rush hour when the crowd arrives and then they break into their loud and religious voice to offer up their prayers.

And, some people ARE impressed by the sounds of their voice and the intensity of their passion and the majesty of their words. Every in the immediate area hears their prayers but God doesn't.

So, they prayed to be honored by men and Jesus said, "They get their reward." Mission accomplished.

You may be thinking, "How phony is that! Who would do something like that?"

Really?

Remember the last time you asked to pray in Bible Study or LIFE Group or at church? Was your first thought, "What should I say?" or "What will people think?"

When you let those thoughts hinder you from praying you are falling into the same trap as the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Honestly, I have been at prayer meetings where the next person to pray did his best to top the last person who prayed who had tried to the better the person before him.

Jesus says, "Don't pray like that!"

Also, Jesus said, "Don't pray like them when they pray long and wordy prayers!"

Not only did these religious leaders attempt to impress people with their public prayers, they tried to impress God with their lengthy prayers.

Jesus made it clear that God doesn't need to be impressed not does He need to be impressed. God is a Father who wants to be approached by a humble, hungry and hurting child who needs a hug.

There are times when God, the Holy Spirit, lays the urgency of prayer on your spirit and calls you to intense and intimate prayer. But normally, it is not the length of your prayers or the form of your prayers and the formula of your prayers, it is the condition of your heart that brings results.

Jesus said, "When you pray, don't pray like them!"

Are you praying like them?

Are there any of these elements in your prayers?
































































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