From the Mouth of the Master- Part 13- Matthew 6:5-15

Introduction

Jesus now continues to draw a contrast between the practice of the hypocrites and what is to be the practice of the disciple of Christ.

Jesus began with the topic of almsgiving and now moves to the topic of prayer. This section of the Sermon on the Mount provides a great deal of valuable instruction regarding the disciples prayer life.

This is one of the most important and most vital aspects of our spiritual life and thus we should say as the disciples said to Jesus ...

Luke 11:1 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

If we are to be disciples of Christ must learn to pray. Note the fact that Jesus assumes that His disciples do pray as He states “when thou prayest”

Once again we will look at this passage in the same systematic way first observing...

The Practice of the Hypocrites and the Heathen (Vs. 5 & 7)

In this passage Jesus speaks about the praying of the hypocrites and then also makes mention of the praying of the heathen (pagan/unbelieving).

The details that Jesus shares regarding their praying is intended to present a contrast to the praying of the true disciple.

First we see the practice of the hypocrites (religious pretenders). These would pray in prominent places so that they would be seen of men.

Once again their religious activity is proven insincere by the fact that they sought attention from men as they prayed.

These hypocrites relished the opportunity to pray in public and to give the impression of spirituality as the prayed aloud in the hearing of many.

We have a view into what these prayers may have sounded in Luke 18:10-12- the Pharisees prayer.

Notice that Jesus says that the Pharisee “prayed thus with himself”, he may have had the attention of men but he certainly did not have the ear of God.

His praying was self-congratulatory and was a means of self-promotion and had little if anything to do with appealing to God.

The hypocrite was not concerned with whether or not God heard his prayers, his primary concern is that men would hear.

Jesus also mentions the prayers of the heathen. These would apparently pray repetitiously the same words over and over.

The heathen somehow had the idea that there was value in “much speaking.” They believed that it was merely the length of their prayers that was important so they would repeat the same phrases again and again in an attempt to give length to their praying.

This is still prevalent in many lands today as there are people who spend hours and sometimes days praying repetitious prayers to idols and false Gods in the hope that they will somehow get a response.

Jesus contrasts this with...

The Practice of the Disciple (Vs. 6 & 8-15)

Jesus begins with instruction regarding the manner of their praying. Jesus did not expressly condemn all public praying, but instructed his disciples that their praying was to be done in secret.

Rather than praying in a prominent place to be seen of men, the disciple is instructed to find a private place and there to pray to the father.

We may at times pray in public, but the majority of our prayer lives should be in private.

Iceberg- 90 percent of the iceberg is unseen and unknown while a mere 10 percent rises above the surface in plain view.

The disciple is also instructed not to use vain repetitions as the heathen do. We must understand that it is better to pray with few words in sincerity than to pray a multitude of words insincerely.

For the Christian there is no value in praying the same words or phrases over and over again. It is not as though God is hard of hearing. He hears the moment that we call out to Him.

Many Christians pray repetitiously because this repetition serves as a filler to lengthen their prayers. We must understand that God is not impressed with the length of our prayers but rather He desires sincerity and passion in our praying.

It is of note that Jesus makes such a statement just before He gives His disciples a model for their praying. Some today believe there is some special significance to repeatedly praying what they call “The Lord’s Prayer” and yet this is exactly what Jesus said we should avoid.

We must recognize that what Jesus is doing is providing a model that may serve as a guide to help us to know how to pray.

Let’s take a few moments to explore this model prayer which Jesus gives to His disciples

Notice now the pattern of the prayer...

The prayer begins with a recognition of who God is “Our Father” who is “in heaven”- When we approach God is would do us well to remember that we come to Him as a child would approach a loving father.

Even as we approach God as a father we must yet remember to “hallow” His name for He is holy. There should be an appropriate reverent worshipful attitude as we approach unto Him.

Our praying should also include a desire for the advancement of the kingdom of God and a longing for the day when He shall rule and reign.

We should also approach God with a desire to submit ourselves to His will.