-- { Matthew 6:5-6 }  ⁵“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ⁶But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.   -- NRSV

Dear Friend, grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

This sermon series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is about learning who we are, as children of God and followers of Jesus. In knowing who we are, we are enabled by God's grace to make godly decisions and know what to do to live God's Kingdom now.

I find it interesting that this text comes up on the week of the National Day of Prayer. The theme is "The right motive for prayer." The question may be, "Does the National Day of Prayer have the right motive?" 

Jesus is speaking to those who pray - who take prayer seriously. Prayer is one of the greatest acts of the Christian faith. Talking to God, whether by your thoughts or audibly, is the way you and I fellowship with our God. It is important that you have your line of communication open to the Lord at all times. This is part of living God's Kingdom now.

That you and I do have this communication with God is not our point of focus today. Jesus wants us to look at how we pray. Implied therefore, is the fact that you can pray with the wrong motive and in the wrong way. It is possible to pray and not please God. Thus, Jesus helps us understand the right and wrong motive for praying.

The wrong motive: praying to be seen by people

Two things need to be said as we start this look at prayer.

1. Praying is not necessarily a sign that a person knows or loves God.

2. A person who does really know and love God will pray. There is nothing that will keep you from communicating with God if you really love Him. Just as any child who loves their earthly father will speak to him, if you love your Heavenly Father, you will talk to Him.

This says something to the person who prays primarily in public, and prays little, if any, in private. This person must search their heart and mind to see if they are in genuine communication with God.

Jesus says that if you and I pray with the motivation to be seen by people to earn their recognition and praise, then we are hypocrites.

1. Hypocrites pray out in public.

- Some love to pray publicly. They love to represent a particular group in public, yet they lack any foundation in private prayer.

- Some love to pray only in public. They pray for meals, with family, in church and in public, but they lack a personal prayer life.

- Prayer is to be offered to God both in private and public. But public prayer is to be for the public. The focus of public pray needs to be beyond one's self and personal needs or motives - like a National Day of Prayer.

- Some hypocrites pray frequent and long prayers to get attention in public.

- Some pray standing. Actually standing is an acceptable position for praying, but the hypocrite will stand praying in an arrogant and proud way. You can pray standing, sitting, kneeling, etc. It is not the position but the motive.

2. They love to pray in public for the recognition. We all must we on guard against out pride rising up when we pray publicly.

3. Those who pray only in public and have no private prayer life receive only the public reward of recognition. God is not pleased or reached with their prayers. They only receive an earthly, temporary reward. 

The right motive: praying to be heard by God

Three preliminary things need to be looked at.

1. You need to have a desire to take time to pray. You must find a time when you can be alone and pray. Taking the time and finding the place are important. With our hectic lifestyles this has become more difficult. Your first prayer needs to be, "Lord, help me to find time to pray."

2. You need to find a place to pray. Maybe it is in your home. Maybe it is on your way to work. Your second prayer needs to be, "Lord, help me find a place to pray."

3. You need to pray to develop a personal relationship with God. Developing your relationship with God will make Him more present in your life. That presence will transform your life. Your third prayer needs to be, "Lord, I want to know you better through prayer."

Jesus says that you and I are to pray with a genuine motive, our love of being heard by God.

1. The place you are to chose for prayer needs to be a private place.

- Get alone: unobserved - out of everyone's sight.

- Get alone: undisturbed - avoid interruptions.

- Get alone: unheard - meditate where no one can hear you, to allow God the freedom to work in your heart and mind what He wishes.

Acts records Peter's time and place of prayer, "About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray." (Acts 10:9)

2. The reason you are to pray in private is because God "is unseen." You must have a personal heart-to-heart communion with God if you wish to really communicate with Him. This is how you reach Him. How He reaches you. He is not interested in outward show. 

Why do we find it hard to have a private time with our God?

- We say we don't have time. But if we are honest we know that all we have to do is rearrange out schedule a little. It is a matter of desire and discipline.

- We have the time, but we just don't take it. We fill that time slot with something else.

- We have not learned the benefits to us, those around us, and the world, of having a private time with our God in communication.

- We have not learned to discipline ourselves and develop consistency in our spiritual lives. There is nothing better we could do than take time for our God each day. It will relieve us of many anxieties.

3. Your being a genuine prayer warrior brings God's blessing. There are two ways in which you will be rewarded.

Jesus is telling you and me that we need a place or places where we can be alone with our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in prayer. Find that place. He is waiting to hear from you. 

The National Day of Prayer was established to call all people of all faiths to pray together for America and celebrate the First Amendment to the Constitution which says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof." So it is ok to pray in public on the National Day of Prayer. Just don't let it go to your head. Stay focused on prayer for our nation. It is an area our Lord calls us to pray for.

In Jesus Name,