Avoiding Hypocrisy in Prayer

Matthew 6:5-6

People who are uncomfortable praying with others might cite Matthew 6:6, the verse where Jesus advocates praying in secret. However, Christ’s point was not our location but our attitude.

His admonition wasn’t to avoid public prayer; rather, it was a warning not to pray hypocritically by seeking the approval of others. We may be quick to think we’d never do that, but in reality, corporate prayer can be challenging to many of us.

Generally, our problem is less about trying to impress others with our eloquence and spirituality than it is about feeling self-conscious or tongue-tied. However, if our focus is on how we sound, we may still be praying like a hypocrite because all we can think about is ourselves and other people’s perception of us.

But the Lord never calls us out for being inarticulate or using bad grammar. He’s listening to the motivation of our spirit. How well we speak doesn’t matter if we’re truly talking to Him instead of merely those around us. When our focus is on God, He hears our prayer, and others are drawn into that sweet communion.

Whether we pray in a closet or in an auditorium filled with people, we must remember that we’re speaking to an audience of one, and He delights in hearing from His children.

Bible in One Year: 2 Thessalonians 1-3