Hypocritical Prayer
Matthew 6:5-8 (NLT) “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
Introduction: You are welcome to another week as we hear from the Scriptures that speak the truth for deliverance unto those who seek knowledge from the spoken words of God. The Holy Spirit will grant us understanding in Jesus name.
The Lord taught His disciples that followed Him to the Mount on “Hypocritical Prayer”
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
Hypocrites are sanctimonious in prayer, that is outward show of righteousness, appearing to be better than others. They make people to believe that it is only their prayers that God will hear due to their outward righteousness. No wonder their followers pray to their God; for example calling “God of XYZ” to help them during prayers; not knowing the silent chapters in the life of “XYZ ” and who or what “XYZ” is actually serving in the secret. We are all awaiting results. Moreover, God has not introduced Himself as the -God of “XYZ” to any man in the Scriptures.
Hypocrites pray for public to know how religious they are whereas, the word of God is far from their hearts. Hypocrites advertise themselves for monetary gains from ignoramus.
There are prayer contractors who claim to fast and pray for their followers. From our text, apart from public display in their prayer life, hypocrites also babble or repeat vain words.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.
Prayers are not answered by public display and repetitions of words but by dwelling in the secret place of the Most High where there is surety for deliverance.
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
We have nowadays several men of God that make people believe in their holier than thou attitude with past Testimony of what they achieved. Some are exaggerated or based on lies and deception to showcase their closeness with God whereas, they are smoke without fire, tricksters using demonic powers.
Hear what Scriptures speak concerning them:
Isaiah 65:5 At night they go out among the graves, worshiping the dead. They eat the flesh of pigs and make stews with other forbidden foods. Yet they say to each other, ‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!’ These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.
Hypocrites are pretenders who claim to pray for members but defraud even the needy of their valuables.
Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
We must run away from those with a form of godliness without the knowledge of God’s word that generates power.
2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT) They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Hypocrites talk with pride in prayer, relegating others as sinners whose prayers could not be answered by God whereas, God knows all hearts and weighs actions.
1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
Jesus Christ told His Disciples during this sermon on the Mount; for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
❓How many of us remember this words of our Master in times of need? Jesus asked this vital question when it comes to the needs of God’s children;
Matthew 6:26 (NLT) Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
✍ Finally, I want you to catch this revelation that you are of greater value to God to the extent that He knows numbers of your hairs, therefore He is aware of what you are going through before you ask. All that is important is your dwelling place when you pray. Is it in the secret place of the Most High or the public place of men? This determines your confidence in the place of prayer.
Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT) What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
✋ Maranatha.
