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. Mat 6:5-6
There was two places where a Jew in Jesus’ day might pray-they might pray at the synagogue at the time of public prayer, or on the street at the appointed times of prayer (9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.). These hypocrites prayed not to be heard by God, but to be seen by men. This is a common practice and fault in public prayer today. When people pray to impress or teach others instead of genuinely pouring out their hearts before God. God is not impressed with our eloquence, or our emotions, unless it comes from genuine contrition of our hearts. What it really is, is an insult to the Lord. We mouth words hoping to impress those in earshot of our orations, and use God's Name to do it.
I've sat and watched some of these people strut across their platforms, making demands and ranting like maniacs, and my stomach was churning in knots as I watched them. It sickens me. The mega church leaders and prophets who do this, and do get their answers, will one day be surprised, that their rewards were given to them when they made their requests for their millions-but they were losing their eternal rewards in the process. The clear message of the Cross, is gone, the price Jesus paid for the salvation of those still lost in the streets and going to hell, aren't the main focus of their "ministry"-it's what they can achieve for themselves, and those who follow them-it's a club, and the main goal is popularity, identity, prosperity, and their self-image. But, the underlying focus that is stressed the most-is money, and they know all the ways to persuade you that you need to donate to their cause, and if you do not, they will make sure you feel the heat of their condemnation and rejection. They have crossed the line and are serving a different master, and it's not Jesus Christ who died for them, and rose again.
They are enjoying the best money can buy now, they need to get as much pleasure as possible as often as they can, because that's their reward. Their jets, dinners that cost thousands of dollars a plate, luxury vacations, designer clothes, plastic surgeries and lavish homes and vehicles are their rewards. They are using them and enjoying them now-it's all they are going to get. So, enjoy it-while it lasts.
But, with all their wealth and prosperity-many of them have to hire body guards to follow them everywhere, and protect them-what kind of faith is it that they are preaching?
There's a time and place for public prayer, but it's meant to be toward God and His throne-not to man. If it's from the heart, it will be evident, and it will have nothing to do with personal gain or recognition. His will and His glory will be the focus, not putting anyone on a pedestal. I'll emphasize this-God will not share His glory with anyone else....no one.
Jesus tells us to go to a private place alone, and pour out our hearts to Him. Even when in a public place, we can focus our hearts and minds inward-where the Holy Spirit dwells, and be in prayer, with people all around us, but they won't be aware of it. But, there certainly can and should be a place we choose to spend private time alone with the Lord, and come before Him with the things on our hearts, that need to be interceded for. Intercession is a manner of prayer that is centered on other's not ourselves, and this is an important service to the Lord in His kingdom, that few come to really understand, but if there were more in this army, the world would be a different place. The vast majority of those sitting in pews every Sunday spend very little time in prayer, and know nothing of this realm of prayer, and we see the results of this in the chaos, violence, and ungodliness around us everywhere. Those who are warriors of prayer, see this as a sign of the end of the age we are in. Our redemption is drawing nigh, and our prayers are changing to meet that reality.
I've sat and watched some of these people strut across their platforms, making demands and ranting like maniacs, and my stomach was churning in knots as I watched them. It sickens me. The mega church leaders and prophets who do this, and do get their answers, will one day be surprised, that their rewards were given to them when they made their requests for their millions-but they were losing their eternal rewards in the process. The clear message of the Cross, is gone, the price Jesus paid for the salvation of those still lost in the streets and going to hell, aren't the main focus of their "ministry"-it's what they can achieve for themselves, and those who follow them-it's a club, and the main goal is popularity, identity, prosperity, and their self-image. But, the underlying focus that is stressed the most-is money, and they know all the ways to persuade you that you need to donate to their cause, and if you do not, they will make sure you feel the heat of their condemnation and rejection. They have crossed the line and are serving a different master, and it's not Jesus Christ who died for them, and rose again.
They are enjoying the best money can buy now, they need to get as much pleasure as possible as often as they can, because that's their reward. Their jets, dinners that cost thousands of dollars a plate, luxury vacations, designer clothes, plastic surgeries and lavish homes and vehicles are their rewards. They are using them and enjoying them now-it's all they are going to get. So, enjoy it-while it lasts.
But, with all their wealth and prosperity-many of them have to hire body guards to follow them everywhere, and protect them-what kind of faith is it that they are preaching?
There's a time and place for public prayer, but it's meant to be toward God and His throne-not to man. If it's from the heart, it will be evident, and it will have nothing to do with personal gain or recognition. His will and His glory will be the focus, not putting anyone on a pedestal. I'll emphasize this-God will not share His glory with anyone else....no one.
Jesus tells us to go to a private place alone, and pour out our hearts to Him. Even when in a public place, we can focus our hearts and minds inward-where the Holy Spirit dwells, and be in prayer, with people all around us, but they won't be aware of it. But, there certainly can and should be a place we choose to spend private time alone with the Lord, and come before Him with the things on our hearts, that need to be interceded for. Intercession is a manner of prayer that is centered on other's not ourselves, and this is an important service to the Lord in His kingdom, that few come to really understand, but if there were more in this army, the world would be a different place. The vast majority of those sitting in pews every Sunday spend very little time in prayer, and know nothing of this realm of prayer, and we see the results of this in the chaos, violence, and ungodliness around us everywhere. Those who are warriors of prayer, see this as a sign of the end of the age we are in. Our redemption is drawing nigh, and our prayers are changing to meet that reality.
Thoughts on Prayer to Ponder
The Saviour does not specify the times when we should pray in secret. He does not say how often it should be done. The reasons may have been:
(1) That he designed that his religion should be “voluntary,” and there is not a better “test” of true piety than a disposition to engage often in secret prayer. He intended to leave it to his people to show attachment to him by coming to God often, and as often as they chose.
(2) An attempt to specify the times when this should be done would tend to make religion formal and heartless. Mohammed undertook to regulate this, and the consequence is a cold and formal prostration at the appointed hours of prayer all over the land where his religion has spread.
(3) The periods are so numerous, and the seasons for secret prayer vary so much, that it would nor be easy to fix rules when this should be done.
Yet without giving rules, where the Saviour has given none, we may suggest the following as times when secret prayer is proper:
1. In the morning. Nothing can be more appropriate when we have been preserved through the night, and when we are about to enter upon the duties and dangers of another day, than to render to our great Preserver thanks, and to commit ourselves to His fatherly care.
2. In the evening. When the day has closed, what would be more natural than to offer thanksgiving for the mercies of the day, and to implore forgiveness for what we have said or done amiss? And when about to lie down again to sleep, not knowing but it may be our last sleep and that we may awake in eternity, what more proper than to commend ourselves to the care of Him “who never slumbers nor sleeps?”
3. We should pray in times of embarrassment and perplexity. Such times occur in every man’s life, and it is then a privilege and a duty to go to God and seek his direction. In the most difficult and embarrassed time of the American Revolution, Washington was seen to retire to a grove in the vicinity of the camp at Valley Forge. Curiosity led a man to observe him, and the father of his country was seen on his knees supplicating the God of hosts in prayer. Who can tell how much the liberty of this nation is owing to the answer to the secret prayer of Washington?
4. We should pray when we are beset with strong temptations. So the Saviour prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (compare Heb_5:7-8), and so we should pray when we are tempted.
5. We should pray when the Spirit prompts us to pray. When we are drawn as a magnet, to the Lord in prayer; when nothing can satisfy the soul but prayer. Such times occur in the life of every Christian. Prayer to the Christian, at such times, is just as congenial as conversation with a friend when the bosom is filled with love; as the society of father, mother, sister, child is, when the heart glows with attachment; as the strains of sweet music are to the ear best attuned to the love of harmony; as the most exquisite poetry is to the heart enamored with the muses; and as the most delicious banquet is to the hungry.
Prayer, then, is the element of being - The breath the vital air; and then, the Christian must and should pray. He is the most eminent Christian who is most favored with such strong emotions urging him to prayer. The heart is then full; the soul is tender; the sun of glory shines with unusual splendor; no cloud intervenes; the Christian rises above the world, and pants for glory. then we may go to be alone with God. We may enter the closet, and breathe forth our warm desires into his ever-open ear, and He who sees in secret will reward us openly.
Who seeth in secret - Who sees what the human eye cannot see; who sees the real designs and desires of the heart. Prayer should always be offered, remembering that God is acquainted with our real desires; and that it is those real needs and desires, and not only the words of prayer, that he will answer. (Albert Barnes)
(1) That he designed that his religion should be “voluntary,” and there is not a better “test” of true piety than a disposition to engage often in secret prayer. He intended to leave it to his people to show attachment to him by coming to God often, and as often as they chose.
(2) An attempt to specify the times when this should be done would tend to make religion formal and heartless. Mohammed undertook to regulate this, and the consequence is a cold and formal prostration at the appointed hours of prayer all over the land where his religion has spread.
(3) The periods are so numerous, and the seasons for secret prayer vary so much, that it would nor be easy to fix rules when this should be done.
Yet without giving rules, where the Saviour has given none, we may suggest the following as times when secret prayer is proper:
1. In the morning. Nothing can be more appropriate when we have been preserved through the night, and when we are about to enter upon the duties and dangers of another day, than to render to our great Preserver thanks, and to commit ourselves to His fatherly care.
2. In the evening. When the day has closed, what would be more natural than to offer thanksgiving for the mercies of the day, and to implore forgiveness for what we have said or done amiss? And when about to lie down again to sleep, not knowing but it may be our last sleep and that we may awake in eternity, what more proper than to commend ourselves to the care of Him “who never slumbers nor sleeps?”
3. We should pray in times of embarrassment and perplexity. Such times occur in every man’s life, and it is then a privilege and a duty to go to God and seek his direction. In the most difficult and embarrassed time of the American Revolution, Washington was seen to retire to a grove in the vicinity of the camp at Valley Forge. Curiosity led a man to observe him, and the father of his country was seen on his knees supplicating the God of hosts in prayer. Who can tell how much the liberty of this nation is owing to the answer to the secret prayer of Washington?
4. We should pray when we are beset with strong temptations. So the Saviour prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (compare Heb_5:7-8), and so we should pray when we are tempted.
5. We should pray when the Spirit prompts us to pray. When we are drawn as a magnet, to the Lord in prayer; when nothing can satisfy the soul but prayer. Such times occur in the life of every Christian. Prayer to the Christian, at such times, is just as congenial as conversation with a friend when the bosom is filled with love; as the society of father, mother, sister, child is, when the heart glows with attachment; as the strains of sweet music are to the ear best attuned to the love of harmony; as the most exquisite poetry is to the heart enamored with the muses; and as the most delicious banquet is to the hungry.
Prayer, then, is the element of being - The breath the vital air; and then, the Christian must and should pray. He is the most eminent Christian who is most favored with such strong emotions urging him to prayer. The heart is then full; the soul is tender; the sun of glory shines with unusual splendor; no cloud intervenes; the Christian rises above the world, and pants for glory. then we may go to be alone with God. We may enter the closet, and breathe forth our warm desires into his ever-open ear, and He who sees in secret will reward us openly.
Who seeth in secret - Who sees what the human eye cannot see; who sees the real designs and desires of the heart. Prayer should always be offered, remembering that God is acquainted with our real desires; and that it is those real needs and desires, and not only the words of prayer, that he will answer. (Albert Barnes)
