"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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:5 NIV
I don't believe Jesus was criticizing public prayer. Jesus prayed in public and the Bible is full of public prayers. I think Jesus, in typical Jesus fashion, was criticizing hearts that had wrong motives. Prayer is not a public activity. It may be done in public, but prayer is a relationship between God and the person praying.
When we read prayers in the Bible they were personal conversations between God and someone who had a relationship with God. We have the privilege of listening to that private conversation. When David prays in the Psalms, it is David having a talk with God. The prayer was not recorded for us to be impressed with the words of David's prayer, but for us to benefit and learn from the relationship David had with the Father.
How is your prayer life? This week, as we talk about prayer, perhaps we can become more active in our prayer life. Prayer is a relationship. A relationship develops over time and through interaction between two parties. As we relate more to God and He to us, prayer will become a more central part of who we are and will help determine how we respond to God's call on our life.
Oh, Lord, teach us to pray!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Mustard Seed Ministry offers free online discipleship and spiritual help in addition to these devotionals. If you have an issue or concern you want to discuss with Ron via the Internet, or you would like more information about the ministries of Mustard Seed Ministry, email Ron today at ron.mustardseed@christweb.com. God bless you as you seek Christ today.
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