SECRET PRAYERS

Matthew 6:5-8 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. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Jesus now gives us the second example of how Christians are to demonstrate righteousness in their conduct of life. The first example was in almsgiving (Vss. 2-4), and the second, according to the lesson text, is the act of praying. Our Lord tells us the importance of prayer. He said that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1). He also said, And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matt. 21:22). Regarding prayer, the apostle Paul wrote, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving (Col. 4:2), and, Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16b). The importance of prayer is not to be overlooked, and neither should Christians neglect the proper manner of praying. There is a right and a wrong way to pray, and Jesus, in the lesson text, gives usexamples of both.

The first wrong way to pray is hypocritically, as was the manner of the Pharisees. Jesus, throughout His ministry on earth, warned all His disciples to beware of the Pharisees and not to follow their examples of conduct. Why? Because all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi (See Matt. 23:1-7). What a vivid example of hypocrisy. Then, Christ told us how this religious hypocrisy carried over into the act of prayer by relating the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. The humble publican recited this short prayer, God be merciful to me a sinner. The hypocritical prayer of the Pharisee God rejected, but the humble, sincere prayer of the publican wasaccepted by Him (See Luke 18:10-14).

Prayers, to be acceptable to God, must not be made for the purpose of being seen by others. Prayers are not to be worn as an egotistical badge of spiritual devotion. To determine if you have the right attitude in prayer, ask yourself this question: Do I pray to be seen and heard by God, or do I pray to be seen and heard by others? In verse 6, of the lesson text, Jesus tells us that our private prayers should be in seclusion. The only one that should hear our private prayers is the one to whom we are praying - God! Naturally this teaching does not prohibit public prayers in church assemblies, or any other assembly where prayers are justly needed, such as Christian fellowship meetings, civic functions, funerals, hospital rooms, mealtime devotions, etc. "Prayers uttered to God from inside one's closet with the door shut" is just an example given by Jesus as a secluded place to pray. However, other private places may be just as well suited, even prayers uttered in silence are also considered private in the sight of God.

Jesus also says that our prayers are not to be vain repetitions. This does not mean that we are not to pray often or, at times, use the same wording in our prayers. It does mean, however, that there is no merit in repeating prayers over and over a set number of times. Neither is the length of our prayers or the time spent in prayer significant in God's eyes. The content and one's sincerity is God's measure of a worthy prayer. Although God knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him, He still wants you to pray. Why? Because God requires that we admit our shortcomings and needs in order to show our dependence on Him for all things. Mankind is not self-reliant, and through prayer we make this confession to our Creator, Protector, and Provider of all physical and spiritual blessings. Sins must be forgiven to be reconciled to God. Forgiveness and eternal salvation is only available through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When we confess this need to God by prayer, He will provide all blessings, both spiritual and physical.