Key Verse:
6 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
In this passage, Jesus addresses the actions and motives of individuals, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and genuine intentions in our deeds, prayers, and fasting.
Let’s break down the key points:
𝟏. 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟔:𝟐-𝟒)
Understanding Hypocrisy
Jesus distinguishes between those who do good with insincere motives (hypocrites) and those who act out of genuine love and compassion.
Motives for Acts of Kindness
Acts of kindness should be done without seeking recognition or praise. The true reward comes from God, and it may not be material or immediate but could be spiritual or eternal.
𝟐. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟔:𝟓-𝟔)
Private vs. Public Prayer
Jesus emphasizes the sincerity of prayer, cautioning against praying solely for public recognition. The focus should be on a genuine connection with God rather than seeking approval from others.
Heartfelt vs. Hypocritical Prayer
The distinction lies not in the setting but in the authenticity of the prayer. Whether in public or private, the motive should be a sincere communication with God.
𝟑. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟔:𝟕-𝟖)
Quality of Prayer
Jesus discourages shallow repetition of words without genuine intent. Persistent and honest prayer is encouraged, emphasizing the engagement of heart and mind.
Sincerity in Prayer
Meaningful prayer is not about the quantity of words but the sincerity of the heart. God values honesty and authenticity in our communication with Him.
𝟒. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟔:𝟗-𝟏𝟑)
Our Relationship with God
Addressing God as “Our Father in heaven” emphasizes a personal and loving connection with God. The repeated use of “Father” underscores the community and family aspect of Jesus’ movement.
Praying for God’s Will
The prayer includes a plea for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done. This is not passive resignation but an active commitment to align ourselves with God’s purposes on earth.
Dependence on God
Acknowledging God as the provider of daily sustenance and strength reinforces our dependence on Him.
Seeking Protection from Temptation
The prayer concludes with a request for deliverance from temptation, recognizing the universal challenge faced by all Christians.
Closing Thoughts:
Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6 remind us of the importance of authenticity, sincerity, and genuine motives in our actions, prayers, and daily dependence on God. As you engage in acts of kindness, prayer, and fasting, let the underlying motivation be a true love for God and others, seeking His approval rather than the praise of people.