Prayer is personal. It’s not business, it’s not superstition or
magical, and God is not your servant:
When you pray, you aren't to be like the hypocrites; for they
love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they
may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But
you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your
Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will
reward you.
And when you are praying, don’t use meaningless repetition as the
Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So don’t
be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6.5-7
Continuing with our private “acts of
righteousness” (Matthew 6.1), now we come to prayer. Jesus taught his disciples to pray in
secret. And as with giving, our Lord
highlighted his comments by teaching his followers to be different. Go back and
read the passage above again carefully, and you’ll see that Jesus highlighted two groups and said we're supposed to be different. Usually
(especially in Matthew) Jesus told his followers to be different than the
religious folks of their day, but in this case he adds another group: the
Gentiles. This is important.
Different than Christians
The first thing Jesus says is for us to
be different than regular religious people, who love to pray in public. Jesus mentions street corners, but today we
love to pray and make a show of ourselves in restaurants or school or
government buildings or other public settings.
We have lots of rationalizations for this, but it doesn't change the
fact that Jesus told us not to do
so!
I won’t argue the point here.
You can choose to take Jesus’ words as
an explicit command or not.
As for me, I
choose to keep my prayer life private. When
I eat at a restaurant, I pray inside my own head. God hears me, and He is the One to whom – and
for whom – I pray. I don’t care if
others at my table think we should make a spectacle. I pray privately because it’s what Jesus said
to do. I’m no more concerned about what
other “Christians” think than I am about the others in the room. I trust God – He knows my heart. And I obey Jesus, who is my Lord. If he told me to pray out loud, I’d do it; but
he told me to pray in private, so that’s what I do.
Christians have also made a big deal
out of “school prayer,” in direct opposition to Jesus’ teaching here. Let’s be clear: it’s perfectly legal to pray
in school – in any and every school in the United States. The only thing our laws restrict is praying
out loud in some cases. In other words,
our laws encourage us to do exactly what Jesus taught, anyway.
“They love to stand and pray in public so that they may be seen by men”
The only reason school prayer has
become such an issue recently is because people with political agendas want to
influence Christians instead of Christians influencing the politicos. This is just another example of our
upside-down world, where we refuse to be different as our Lord commanded, and
instead want to conform to the expectations of other “Christians.” Exactly the opposite of what our Lord taught
here. Don’t be like those hypocrites –
pray in private.
Different than the Gentiles
Jesus and his audience were Jewish, and
so Jesus here is saying for them not to be like non-Jews, which is called a “Gentile”
or a “Pagan.” Specifically, he says for
them not to pray with repetition. In our
culture we see this as well. Hare
Krishnas come to mind (for me) as they repeat the words “Hare Krishna, Hare,
Hare” again and again – babbling superstitiously.
The other group that comes to mind is modern
Christians. Catholics recite a prayer
called a “Hail Mary,” and all of us learn the “Lord’s Prayer” (found in the
next section). Is it not amazing that we
use Jesus’ own sample prayer to refuse to obey Jesus?!?!?!? It’s like hearing God say not to make images
of Him, and then doing so anyway. Oh,
wait … I guess we do that, too.
This is true of us because we have
stopped becoming disciples at all.
People who recite prayers over and over ARE pagans. They don’t call themselves that, but their
actions speak louder than their words.
What they have done is to twist Christianity into a superstition. Using Christian words and symbols and even
the bible … we have returned to superstition.
We made an idol and named it Yahweh – just as Israel did (Exodus
32.5). Also like Israel, who obeyed God
by making a brass serpent … and later twisted it into an object of worship
(Numbers 21.8-9; 2 Kings 18:4).
Please accept my challenge: examine
your prayer life and see … have you become superstitious? Have you taken ‘prayer’ and turned it into
something like magic? There are some
tell-tale signs I’ll offer. This isn't foolproof, but it should help those who want to be purer in heart.
You may be a superstitious Christian if:
- Most of your prayers are for what you want instead of what God wants…
You pray mostly for God’s will to be
done, or for your own will? Many of us
pray for stuff we want, or safety in travel, or for healing or hundreds of
other things. If your prayer life is
- You think there’s “power in prayer”
God is all-powerful. When you speak to God you are praying. If you have bought the line that your words
to God are powerful, you are superstitious.
There’s no power, no magic, no mysterious spirituality here … prayer is
you talking to God. God is powerful, not
your words to Him.
- You think you must say certain words
Do you think you have to say “In Jesus’
name, Amen” at the end of your prayers?
If so, you may be a superstitious Christian. To be sure, we are supposed to pray in Jesus’
name (Ephesians 5.20), but that doesn't mean we must say it! God knows your
heart. If you’re just saying words
because you’re ‘supposed to’ … then is it really true? Words without action make us hypocrites. Besides, we’re supposed to do everything – in
word or deed – in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3.17).
- Your prayers are mostly for earthly, physical things
Most groups and churches pray for their
sick, safe travel, comfort for our troops, the poor and other physical
things. This is good and
appropriate. But consider the
implications of the fact that most of our prayers have to do with things in the
physical world instead of focusing on God’s Kingdom. Solomon prayed for wisdom to benefit the
kingdom. His father (David) prayed
amazing prayers (see the Psalms) that centered completely on God and God’s will
being done. Even our Lord’s prayer (next
section) only asks for basics in the physical world – the rest is all
spiritually focused.
There are certainly more challenges I
can offer, but now it’s up to you.
Examine yourself and see if you have maybe turned prayer into something
God didn't intend. It is difficult, but
it’s an important way to become purer in heart.
We all have superstitious tendencies.
Let’s crush them and replace them with complete trust in God – and God only.
One more thing … If you find yourself challenged by this, don’t rationalize
- or beat yourself up. Men make tons of
money selling Christians nonsense like The
Prayer of Jabez, or preaching sermons about the “power of prayer.” In fact, almost no one teaches the truth
about prayer. So if you've fallen for
that gibberish, don’t feel too badly – just repent and become better.
Intimacy
When Yeshua told his disciples to talk
to God in private, he was teaching something he himself practiced. Examine the gospels for yourself and see …
how often did Jesus pray in public, how often did he pray only in the presence
of his disciples, and how often did he go away to the wilderness alone? You will find that he overwhelmingly kept his prayers private. Jesus’ prayers were intimate affairs, for
Jesus didn't see his prayers as ‘powerful,’ or as some kind of magic
wishing. When Jesus prayed, he was a son
speaking to his Father. He lived as an
obedient son, being about his Father’s business, and doing everything to
glorify his Father. And … he prayed with
respect, knowing his Father was also the King.
Like Jesus, David’s prayers are
respectful, constant, mostly private and always intimate. You will find the same thing with Moses, the
Patriarchs who went before him, and the prophets who followed. Their prayers were reflections of a personal
relationship with the Creator, Lord of Hosts, and King of kings.
What does your prayer life reveal about
your relationship with Yahweh?
Do you trust in your own praying, or do
you trust in God’s power and love?
Do you talk to Him respectfully as you
would a King, or are you familiar as if God were nothing more than one of your
pals?
Do you use fancy language (as if you
can impress God – what a laugh), or do you just reveal your heart to Him?
Are your prayers honest? If so, your prayers and your actions will be
in harmony; so much so that your actions can actually become prayers to
God. When service and prayer merge, they
you are truly worshiping Him as if He were truly the Lord of your life.
Know this for certain:
Your prayer life
is a reflection of your true heart
“Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of
you:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is
far away from Me.
But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
Matthew 15:7-9
Matthew 15:7-9
- People who cry out to God mostly in times of trouble, but rarely ever otherwise - reveal their heart. They see God as nothing more than their last-resort, go-to for rescue. "When all else fails" is an attitude that reveals a heart that doesn't put God first.
- People who love to pray “cool” prayers impressing
others, not God; reveal their heart is more interested in pleasing people than
in pleasing God.
Is this your God? Is He your servant? - People who pray for stuff (material things,
earthly relationships and/or comfort) reveal a heart that sees God as a Genie,
in which He is a powerful servant. Is
your God someone who is supposed to jump and serve you every time you holler?
Your prayers reveal the truth.
- People who pray certain prayers over and over reveal their superstitious heart.
- People who insist on hand-holding or a special posture, reveal hearts not fully focused on God
- People who think praying is a “spiritual
discipline” reveal hearts that put more trust in human education & wisdom than
for God’s word and Jesus’ example.
Cute when a kid does it - creepy if she were older - People whose prayer life doesn't mature over time reveal their heart. When we are children, we think, speak and behave as children. But as we mature spiritually, our relationship with our Father should also change. Our silly crayon-art prayer life is cool when we’re young. But eventually we should learn to be more and do more than play with toys and let Father serve us. What does your prayer life reveal about your spiritual maturity?
Example: Harry Potter
Consider the characters in Harry Potter’s
world for a moment. It’s easy to see
that their relationships are reflected in their communications. Harry & Ron are friends, and the
frequency and content of their communications reflect that. The changing communications between Ron and
Hermione reflects their personal maturation, the different rates at which they
mature, and finally evolves into romance.
The same thing is true of the way Harry speaks with Snape, Sirius or
Dumbledore. If you take a moment and
consider all the relationships, you will understand: communication is always a
reflection of relationship. Harry loves Dumbledore,
but he would never speak to him in familiar terms as he does with Ron. He dislikes Snape, but still speaks with
respect.
In the same way, your prayer live
reveals your relationship. People say
they love Yahweh, that He is their only God, their Father, King and Lord. But if they rarely talk to Him, how can that
be true? Do you always schedule time to
talk to those you love? Do you speak in
familiar tones with a King? Do you have
to reach out to a Father who is close to your side? Do you end each conversation with your
friends with magic words?
In it's simplest terms, prayer is nothing more than talking to God. We talk, God listens, then responds. In this part of the SOM, God is talking to us ... through Jesus & Matthew. The question is: are you listening? God is telling you how to talk to Him. Obey man, your own intuition, or God - it's your choice.
In it's simplest terms, prayer is nothing more than talking to God. We talk, God listens, then responds. In this part of the SOM, God is talking to us ... through Jesus & Matthew. The question is: are you listening? God is telling you how to talk to Him. Obey man, your own intuition, or God - it's your choice.
Just Obey
Make it simple. Just do as you’re told.
If Jesus said go to a private place,
then do that. Not something else, not
more, not other … just do that.
If he said don’t repeat the same words
again and again, then do that. Not
something else, not more, not different and not less … just do as you have been
told by your Master.
Talk to God in private. Be intimate, personal and honest with
God. Always be respectful! Remember He is God, and not you. Seek His will above your own. Want Him to look good more than wanting
yourself to look good. Pray for
spiritual things more than physical ones.
Be happy with where you are today, but don’t be content to stay there …
strive to mature.
And above all … ceaselessly express
gratitude. By far the greatest common
factor in biblical prayers is thankfulness, for those with pure hearts know
they have already received way more than they deserve. God is absurdly generous – how can we not
thank Him in all our words and deeds? How dare we pretend that He hasn't already done enough for us?
Rejoice always; pray without
ceasing; in everything
give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
…always giving
thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the
Father
Ephesians 5:20
Wow, thank you for this entry. I was always worried about saying a prayer that "sounded good" in front of others, now I see from scripture that doing that is silly and not at all honoring God, but instead, making ourselves look good to people. It's really all about speaking from your heart with God and making sure you're not asking Him to grant you wishes like a genie. This also makes me think twice about holding hands and praying in public, are we doing that out of robotic reptition and so that others see that we are praying or because we love God and want to talk to Him?
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased this makes you stop and think about your prayer life. The single most important thing about prayer is knowing the One to whom you are speaking. Yahweh is the one and only true, eternal God. He is Creator, Judge and Savior. And even though He is that powerful, He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you.
DeleteSo ... when you talk to Him, it's really a matter of what is in your own heart. Maybe some people are robotic or show-offs, but we can't know their hearts. What we can know is our own heart ... and we can simply obey Jesus, no matter what.
I know for certain that God blesses people who respect Him - and obey His Son.