Lesson 2Prayer |
In Matthew 6:5 – 15, we find the following:
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.
6. 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.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their
much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11. Give us this day our daily bread.
12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever. Amen.
14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Why does Jesus say be not as a hypocrites? The word hypocrite in Greek is hypokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace’) and means an actor under an assumed character (a dissembler). There are too many people playing as actors with God and in their relationships with Him. In Genesis 4:10 – 15, we find someone who is being real with God and even after he had committed murder, he was able to move God.
It is time to define prayer. Prayer is an outpouring of the heart in times of persecutions, pain, joy and in the times of need to someone that you know has the ability to meet you at that moment, give you what you need at that special time, and to share it with you. Prayer is also an outpouring of thanksgiving and gratitude for how that someone has met your known and unknown needs. Would you agree with this definition?
Therefore, we can understand why Jesus is asking us not to be actors/hypocrites when it comes to communicating with God. This is why we revisited some of the Names of God. Go back to the introduction to this series on prayer and again examine the names there. Now, as you understand these Names of God, and as you pray, how have you been acting? Already some of us are in pain for our lack of communicating with God in our times of prayer (remembering that prayer is the outpouring of the heart.)
Another question comes to mind as we look at Matthew 6:5. When we communicate with God is it for show or is it from our heart? This kind of communication, prayer, cannot be like a form letter. It must be from the heart. You can see this in Genesis 4:10 – 15. Even after Cain had done wrong, he spoke to God from his heart. Prayer is communicating with God through the sincere outpouring of the heart.
Are your ready to really pour out your heart to God, so that you will see and feel your relationship grow for the work He has for you? If you are truly ready, then let us move into this quest to know how to pray.
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