Aug 30 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: DON’T PRAY LIKE THE HYPOCRITES

Matthew 6:5 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

Pharisee religious leaders wanted to be seen as holy by praying in public. Jesus saw through their self-righteous act, and taught that the essentials of prayer is not to gain attention publicly, but to engage in private communication with God. While there is a place for public prayer, to pray only where others will notice you is an indication that your real audience is man, not God. In this passage God is telling the new religious leaders and all those that will partake of the new covenant, that HE is the author and the finisher of their faith! With that being said, intimate and honest communication with Him, to gain HIS attention and NOT man’s, is true relationship.

Willie Christian