Beyond the Ritual: Embracing Authenticity in Prayer and Fasting Part 2

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:5-21

Summary: Matthew 6:5-21 instructs us on the vital importance of sincerity in our spiritual practices, specifically regarding prayer and fasting. Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their external displays of righteousness, calling His followers to engage in personal devotion that seeks God’s approval rather than man’s. This passage illustrates how genuine faith focuses on relationship over ritual, inviting believers to develop a transformative spiritual life that reflects God’s love.

Application: This message emphasizes the necessity for Christians to evaluate their motives behind prayer and fasting. By fostering intimacy with God apart from public perception, believers can overcome struggles related to belonging and insecurity, finding their validation in Christ rather than societal expectations.

Teaching: The sermon could teach that God desires authentic engagement rather than mere compliance with religious practices. By embodying sincere prayer and fasting, we open our hearts to deeper encounters with God, ultimately changing our spiritual landscape through His transformative power.

How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout Scripture, the heart behind our actions has always been crucial. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of the law; He invites us into a relationship that shifts our focus from ritual to relational. This emphasis on authenticity aligns perfectly with the call to follow Christ sincerely, allowing His example to guide how we interact with God and others.

Big Idea: Authentic prayer and fasting are marks of a deepening relationship with God that go beyond rituals and legalism to an expression of heartfelt devotion and transformation.

Recommended Study: For deeper insight as you prepare, investigate the historical context of Jewish prayer and fasting during Jesus' time to grasp how His teachings deviated from custom. Utilize Logos to explore reputable commentaries that examine the literary structure of this passage, as well as studies focused on the socio-religious implications of Jesus' critique of the Pharisees. This could reveal important insights into application within your community today.

Matthew 6:5–21 KJV 1900

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. 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

In ancient Israel, prayer and fasting were often seen as powerful tools for seeking God's guidance and intervention. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat declared a fast when faced with the overwhelming threat of enemy armies. The people came together in prayer, and through their combined faith and fasting, God delivered them. This historical moment illustrates how seriousness in seeking God through prayer and fasting can lead to divine intervention in desperate times.

1. Pray Privately

Matthew 6:5-6

Perhaps you could highlight Jesus' call to pray in secret, emphasizing the personal nature of prayer as an intimate dialogue with God. This breaks the chains of religious performance. You could stress that true prayer is not about public admiration but fostering true connection with God, leading to greater personal transformation in Christ's image.

Does Jesus want me to go pray in a closet every time I pray?

No. Jesus is referring to the prayers that would take place 3 times a day in Jewish tradition. Morning, afternoon, and evening.

Where did the Pharisees pray?

Anywhere in public that had a lot of people.

What does the word ‘closet’ mean?

Small inner room. This would be a small room without windows typically used for storage.

2. Pray with Simplicity

Matthew 6:7-8

You could emphasize Jesus' teaching against vain repetitions, perhaps by addressing the trap of empty words in prayer. God's understanding means our prayers don’t need to be lengthy or complex to be authentic. Encourage the congregation to speak honestly, realizing that through Christ, even simple prayers hold profound worth and power.

What does it mean to pray with vain repetition?

It means to pray aimlessly as one babbling or to constantly repeat the same thing over and over.

Matthew The Lord’s Prayer, 6:5–15

It is somewhat uncertain what the verb battalogeō really means, but probably it means babbling or prattling like a child, or mindless repetition of something, droning on and on with the various names and titles of God.

Do you enjoy when your friend says the same things over and over to you?

Do you enjoy when your friend talks aimlessly with no point to the conversation?

God desires us to pray with purpose.

This is really a slight at the way Gentiles would pray as they would constantly name titles of their gods or repeat the same words over and over. They would use the same prayers repeatedly.

The Gentiles believed that they needed to have lots of words as if prayer was a competition to who had the most to say or had the longest prayers.

Typically this left them babbling over and over, often sounding like muttering or stammering.

We do not need to have a long prayer for it to have power, we need it to be real prayer.

Heartfelt communion with God.

3. Pattern for Powerful Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

Perhaps guide the congregation through the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting each petition as an entry point into genuine relationship with God. This model not only shows us how to pray but transforms our priorities towards seeking God's kingdom first, as Christ exemplifies through His life and teachings.

I must say that it bothers me greatly that some people pray this repeatedly as if it is meant to be the very prayer we pray.

To me it falls in the category of vain repetition, a prayer that is rehearsed and reused.

The true intent of this prayer is a model in which we follow. But more than that it is demonstrating that our prayers are simply speaking to God as a child would speak to a Father.

We looked at this prayer previously so we will not delve too deep today but I want to look at a few things in this prayer.

It begins with Adoration to God.

It continues with the will of God.

Daily provisions from God

Forgiveness of our debts (sins)

For us to forgive others

Deliverance from temptation and evil

Recognizing God’s power and glory

4. Pardon Through Prayer

Matthew 6:14-15

Maybe you could focus on forgiveness as an essential aspect of prayer. Emphasize that forgiving others reflects the grace Christ extends to believers. Encouraging forgiveness breaks down barriers, aligning us more closely with Christ's redemptive work and deepening our spiritual life beyond ritual.

Do you want forgiveness from God?

Forgive others.

How do I forgive others?

Pray for them.

When we pray for others, it is hard for us to dislike them. When we pray for others as we do ourselves, we will desire to forgive them. We do not forgive so that we are forgiven, but rather because we are forgiven, we forgive.

There should be a desire in our hearts to want to love and forgive others, even when they have wronged us. Remember Joseph forgave his own brothers who attempted to kill him. Even though he did not die, the actions to took upon him had devastating effects on his life. Yet despite all that he suffered, he forgave them with tears. That is powerful.

5. Fast with Focused Faith

Matthew 6:16-18

You can suggest exploring the authentic fasting that Jesus speaks of, which seeks divine rather than human attention. By fasting with sincerity, followers of Christ engage in spiritual discipline that deepens reliance on God rather than human validation, reflecting Christ's own dedication to God above all else.

We should consider fasting more seriously in our Christian life. I do not fast as often as I should.

What is the purpose of fasting?

Matthew The Practice of Fasting 6:16–18

Fasting could be an expression of grief or mourning, a mark of remorse and penitence, or simply a sign of humility before God.

Who are some people in the Old Testament who fasted?

David after Nathan visited him.

Fasting should be an extension of our prayer life.

The Jewish people would sometimes view fasting as an auxiliary to prayer.

Matthew The Practice of Fasting 6:16–18

Like prayer, fasting played an important part in Jewish life—and was sometimes viewed as an auxiliary to prayer. In addition to major fasts in which the whole nation took part, such as the Day of Atonement, fasting was observed as an individual discipline by various persons and groups. The Pharisees fasted twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays (cf.

Are we supposed to fast on a certain day or time? Any holidays?

No, it is a voluntary act that we do.

Matthew On Fasting, 6:16–18

Notice there is no mention of a prescribed fast connected with a specific Jewish festival or a ritual like a Nazaritic vow.

Has anyone ever been around a Muslim during Ramadan?

I worked with someone years ago who was Muslim, it was funny because people did like him. He was a nice guy but everyone would tell me the same thing about him “don’t work anywhere near him during Ramadan.” Apparently he did not do well fasting, he was mean and had some negative qualities come out.

How should we appear when fasting?

As we would normally appear. We are not to give the impression that we are fasting.

David did this before he broke his fast when the Lord took the child from him.

2 Samuel 12:20 KJV 1900

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

Matthew The Practice of Fasting 6:16–18

Let your fasting be something that takes place between you and God. Then God can receive and acknowledge it as a righteous deed, a genuine act of piety.

How important is fasting in my life?

The early church faced intense persecution, and they often turned to prayer and fasting for strength. In Acts 13, we see the church in Antioch fasting and worshiping when the Holy Spirit called them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. This moment of devotion paved the way for the spread of the Gospel across the Roman Empire, illustrating the transformative power of prayer and fasting.

6. Possess True Treasures

Matthew 6:19-20

Reinforcing the idea of storing treasures in heaven, you might explore how prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions exhibits true surrender to Christ. In reflecting Christ's humility and kingdom-oriented life, the believer's life transforms radically beyond worldly values.

What does Jesus repeat regarding those who practice public display of their ‘righteous’ deeds in Chapter 6?

“They have their reward.”

What does Jesus say about those who do in secret?

The Father shall reward them openly.

I believe that verses 19-20 refer to the actions in which we live out without seeking mans praise or reward here. We are doing in secret and through our secret communion with the Father, He will reward us.

When our treasure is not in the things of this world, but a desire to please the Father, we will desire to lay up treasures that are eternal.

The bible mentions 5 crowns that believers may obtain. They are crowns that one day we may cast at Jesus’ feet.

The five crowns are:

the Crown of Life, for those who endure trials and remain steadfast under persecution;

the Crown of Righteousness, for those who long for Christ's return and fight the good fight of faith;

the Crown of Rejoicing, associated with evangelism and winning souls;

the Crown of Glory, for faithful preachers, teachers, and those who govern God's people; and

the Incorruptible Crown (also called the Victor's Crown), for those who live a disciplined and overcoming Christian life.

It's important to note that these crowns are not literal but symbolic of heavenly rewards, and believers are expected to cast these crowns at Jesus' feet in worship.

7. Pursue Eternity Wholeheartedly

Matthew 6:21

You might conclude with the heart's position as the ultimate indicator of true devotion. Where one's treasure is, their heart follows, thus aligning personal values with Christ's kingdom principles invites transformation. This verse captures the message of heart-centered living as taught by Jesus.

I want you to know, this world is crumbling fast.

How do we as God’s people have joy in these last days?

When our hearts are set on things eternal.

When we begin to treasure what this world cannot fulfill, when nothing here will satisfy the longing within our soul, when we stop looking at the distractions of this world and begin to focus our heart entirely on eternity.

When that is the place the heart seeks continually then is it our treasure.

How important are the things of this world to you?

During the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s, thousands of people flocked to California with dreams of wealth. Many sacrificed everything, leaving their homes and families, captivated by the lure of gold. Yet, as history shows, few struck it rich, and countless lives were forever altered in pursuit of temporal treasure. This serves as a reminder that true wealth lies not in material gain, but in spiritual riches that endure beyond this life. The heart drawn towards eternal treasures finds peace and purpose that gold cannot offer.