Secret Prayer 10-06-2024
Text: Matthew 6:5-13
This morning, I would like to share with you the lesson that Jesus taught us about prayer. We know that prayer is the way we communicate with God and our Savior Jesus. But do you also know that prayer is the source of power for all true believers? Every one of us often face problems that are too big for us to solve on our own. We are also faced with enemies that are far too strong for us to overcome on our own. But Jesus tells us that secret prayer is the source of power for all who believe that God will help us overcome any situation that we will face.
Our text is from Matthew 6:5-13 where Jesus said: “(5) And when you pray, you shall 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. (6) But you [He means the sincere believer], when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. (7) But when you pray, use not vain repetition as the Heathen do for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not you therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him. (9) After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. (10) Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. (13) And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
Some people, especially the religious leaders in Jesus’ time and even today, want to be seen as being holy, and public prayer is one way to get that type of attention. Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts, however, and taught that the essence of prayer is not a public style but instead private communication with God. Some have concluded that Jesus’ directions about private prayer call into question all public prayer. But that isn’t what Jesus was saying. In fact, Jesus’ own practice indicates this was never His intention. The Gospels record Jesus at prayer both privately as found in Matthew 14:23. and publicly in Matthew 14:18-19.
Jesus’ purpose in this lesson was to draw attention to the motives behind people’s actions. The point really wasn’t a choice between public and private prayer, but instead between heartfelt and hypocritical prayer. When asked to pray in public, our focus is to be on addressing God, not on how we come across to others. There absolutely is a place for public prayer, but to only pray where others will notice you indicates that your real audience is not God.
Why secret prayer important? When we pray to God, we should separate ourselves from things that can distract us. Prayer is meant to be a dialog between God and the one praying. It’s hard for our heart and mind to hear what God has to tell us if we are distracted by the television or kids playing in the same room. When we are separated from distractions, we will come to know that His love will see us through anything because there is no problem we face that is beyond His care. We are not alone because He will meet us wherever we need Him. Also, our God has promised that He will provide for our needs and that He is always on the side of the believer doing what is best for us.
We are told in verse 5 that secret prayer isn’t advertised. There is no pride found in secret prayer. It doesn’t build a reputation, promote hypocrisy, or look for earthly rewards. There is no one around to praise those who pray secretly. Secret prayer truly touches the heart of God, and He always answers personal, private prayer. Heavenly rewards await all those who pray secretly.
Verse 6 tells us that secret prayers will bring public answers. If you need the best that is what will be given to you. If you need perfect rest you can trust that it will come to you. Secret prayer cannot be preplanned because it comes from a quiet heart. When you are in a private place you can open up you heart to God, telling Him about all of your concerns and fears. There you will learn that He does answer your prayers. It is secret prayers that will bring awakening to churches, hope to quiet hospital halls, restored love to troubled families, and it will bring blessings from God and glory to His name.
Finally, in verses 9 through 13 Jesus instructs us on the model for prayer. This has become what today we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” In this church we use it to close our opening prayer every Sunday. This model Jesus provided is in complete contrast to the heathen practice of prayer. It is intended to be a prayer that shows our full confidence that the Heavenly Father will hear and answer our requests according to His perfect will for us.
The opening indicates that it is sent directly to God, not Jesus or the Holy Spirit. It speaks of our belief in the second coming of Jesus when the earth will be remade. The will of God is all important to all believers and we must live trusting that He is doing the best for us. We are confirming to God that we will look to Him for our daily sustenance, whether it be physical or spiritual. The word ‘trespass’ means sin and in this prayer we are confirming that we are sinners. Forgiveness of our sins by God demands that we forgive those who sin against us. It ends with our expression of confidence and trust that God will lead us away from temptation and evil and acknowledgement that this world belongs to Him and not Satan; for only God has the power to deliver us from what Satan would have us do. For this we should always give God glory.
Some people are intimidated by prayer, fearing that they don’t know how to talk to God. If you feel that way, stop right now. Prayer is a conversation between you and God. Talk to Him as you would the person sitting next to you or across the table from you. You don’t need a bunch of ‘thee’s’ and ‘thou’s’ or fancy words you don’t know the meaning of. He hears your everyday language and understands what you are asking. After all, as verse 8 of our text tell us, He knows what our needs are, and He knows them even before we ask. Prayer is our way of acknowledging that we need God’s help and trusting that He will answer our prayers in the way that is most beneficial to us. There is no need to be afraid to pray. Simple language that conveys your cares, needs, fears, or desires is all it takes. And never forget to thank Him for what He has done for you in the past. His past actions are what give us confidence that He will continue to answer our prayers.
Until we meet again, may God bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.