“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward! But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” —Matthew 6:5–8
The Pharisees loved to demonstrate their righteousness. They enjoyed performing their act of public prayer—and an act it was. In their long flowing robes and with their long flowing religious jargon, their prayers were not directed towards God but towards the ears and eyes of their hearers. They were famous for their long repetitive phrases. Their prayers drew the recognition, attention, and admiration from man, but not from God. Our heavenly Father always directs His gaze to the motive and the heart. Jesus tells us that the Pharisees received their reward in full.
Make no mistake about it; God is never into the exaltation of self. I am reminded of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:
“Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!” I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” —Luke 18:9–14
This Pharisee’s prayer consisted of telling God how good he was. Jesus says the one justified was the one who was humbly repentant not sanctimoniously smug.
Peter tells us:
“In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand.”—1 Peter 5:5–6
The Lord Jesus also tells us we are to handle prayer privately. Christians are to be a praying people and prayer is to be a conversation between each one of us and our Maker. It is to be earnest, not trifling, humble, not demanding.
What passes between God and the deep expression of our own souls must be out of sight and not on stage. Public places are not proper for earnest private prayer. Our Father in heaven is ready to hear and answer, ever graciously willing to help and aid us. He is especially near to those who pour out their heart. Children do not make long speeches to their parents when they are in need. Our simple cry of “Help!” is not a bad prayer.
Become More
“Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20–21
“Before they even call out, I will respond; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” —Isaiah 65:24
Further Reflections
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.” —Romans 8:26–27
“There is no true holiness without humility.” —Thomas Fuller
“Tears have a tongue and grammar and language that our Father knows.” —Samuel Rutherford