My Faith Journey
Read Matthew 6:5-15
“But as for 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” (Matthew 6:6).
Prayer is an expression of our relationship with God. It is communicating with God and allow Him to speak to us.
Prayer is Personal Time with God (v.5-8)
Jesus teaches us not to practice our righteousness in front of others just to be seen by them. Prayer is a demonstration of our righteousness before God in His presence. We are instructed not to be like hypocrites who enjoy standing and praying publicly in synagogues or on street corners, seeking the attention of others. Nor should we use empty repetitions, thinking that God will hear us because of the many words we utter in prayer.
God already knows what we need before we ask Him (v.8). He desires that we spend time alone with Him. When we pray, we are invited to enter our inner room, which represents our desire to enter into God’s presence. By closing the door, we shut out the distractions around us and stand alone in the presence of God, making Him the sole focus of our attention.
How Do we Pray? (v.9-13)
Jesus taught us to pray and provide us with the ingredients for a vibrant prayer life:
Our prayers are addressed to our Heavenly Father. As we enter into His presence, we recognise His holiness and offer Him our praise and thanksgiving.
Our desire is for God’s Kingdom to come on earth, so that we will acknowledge His rule and authority. Our pray therefore that our will be in accordance to His desire for us.
We pray for our daily needs and the needs of others. It could be physical, emotional, mentally or spiritually.
We confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. We too, forgive others who have wronged us so that we can be set free from the weight of sins and unforgiveness.
We ask that we be careful not to be tempted, but God will provide use with the strength to resist temptation.
Prayer:
May I invite you to write your prayer today based on the five points above.
Matthew 6:5 - 15
The Lord's Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“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 this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.