MG: 3.4.11 // The Point of Praying, Matthew 6:5-8, JBP

“[5] And then, when you pray, don't be like the play-actors. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at street-corners so that people may see them at it. Believe me, they have had all the reward they are going to get. [6] But when you pray, go into your own room, shut your door and pray to your Father privately. Your Father who sees all private things will reward you. [7] And when you pray don't rattle off long prayers like the pagans who think they will be heard because they use so many words. [8] Don't be like them. After all, God, who is your Father, knows your needs before you ask him.”

Since God is all-knowing (omniscient, Psa 139:2-6), He knows our needs before we even bring our petitions before Him (Mt 6:8; 6:31-33)! What is the point of praying if Yahweh already knows? 

A prayerful heart acknowledges a dependence upon the Lord; a proud heart is just the opposite. We have the example of Christ praying (Mt 26:44), we are commanded to pray (1 Thess 5:17), but practically speaking, we have not because we ask not (Jas 4:2d). God would have met a genuine need, but we failed to ask in faith, or we asked with an impure heart (Psa 66:8).

We are not to be like those who pray to make a show of their piety to others or like those who use vain repetitions or empty phrases in an attempt to get the all-knowing Father’s attention. Their prayers are directed toward men, not God; recognition of their religiosity is the only reward they will receive.

When we pray, we are to commune with Him secretly and speak normally and are rewarded openly. Jesus commanded us “Do not be like them.” Since the church met collectively to pray, the point of public praying is not to be seen or heard by others but for God to hear our prayers offered up to Him. When we pray do we desire to be seen and heard by others or heard by God? <><