Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:5-6 (HCSB)
Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Today’s Question: What is the best reason to pray?
Today’s Commentary:
Most people in America claim to pray. But does God hear these prayers? God has the ability to hear beyond our words and He answers our heart, not our verbiage.
Prayer was one of the three religious pillars of the Jewish religion in Jesus’ day. Prayer is our primary source of communicating with God. Prayer, however, does not change God; it does change the person praying.
This is why it is important to examine the motive of our prayers. Jesus clearly proclaims that one who prays in order for others to hear is doing so in vain. God is not impressed by the quantity or complexity of words.
Jesus says that His disciples should pray in secret. Does this mean we should ban public prayers from our worship services? No, Jesus is simply making a point about hypocrisy. Jesus prayed to the Father in public, as well as the Apostle Paul. Our Lord is simply warning against a public prayer that is merely for show. Again, God is not impressed when the motive for prayer is to make an impression.
Prayer is how we align ourselves with God. Just as the wheels of my car need to be aligned periodically (so that the car is responding appropriately when I steer), prayer is the means by which we seek the will of God. Any motive less than alignment with God is a futile attempt at manipulation on our part.
One of the best teachers on prayer is a man I met a few years ago named Chris Schofield. He states, “In John 17 Jesus models a life of kingdom prayer with a focus on His Father, eternal life and the surrendered life. He also prays toward the Kingdom of God coming as His mission and the mission of His followers moves forward through the ages.” If our prayers are rightly focused on God and the spiritual need of others, it is difficult to maintain a selfish motive. (For more on Dr. Schofield’s exposition of John 17, see his article Missional Prayer Patterns from John 17)
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #28: The disciple of Jesus focuses his or her prayers on the work of God and the fulfillment of His mission.
Today’s Prayer Point: Spend some time today praying for the mission of God–“to seek and save the lost.” Remember those in your family, community, and workplace who have not trusted Christ for salvation. Pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in leading them to salvation.
Shepherding Well 