How Not to Pray

Prayer is an important part of all religions, not just Christianity. So what makes Christian prayer different? Is there a right way to pray, or maybe more importantly, is there a wrong way to pray? In this message from Matthew 6, we learn three ways we should not pray and we see the way Jesus wants citizens of His kingdom to approach prayer.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’  

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

- Matthew 6:5-15