Lesson 5084

 (Lesson 5084) (01-01-26) Matthew 6:5-8 

   “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. 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. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus taught that prayer should always be forthright and humble.  Prayer should never be performed to impress others, to draw attention to oneself, or filled with empty, meaningless words. God already knows what we need long before we ask for it. It should also be noted that this lesson is one of the most ignored lessons, straight from the mouth of Jesus, that is to be found anywhere in the New Testament. In every “Christian” denomination that I know of, you’ll see people stand and “lead” prayer aloud when this lesson strictly rejects it. ~