Matthew 6:5-6

The Message (MSG)

Pray with Simplicity

⁵"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? ⁶"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

(Some people, especially the religious leaders, wanted to be seen as "holy," and public prayer was one way to get attention. Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts, however, and taught that the essence of prayer is not public style but private communication with God. There is a place for public prayer, but to pray only where others will notice you indicates that your real audience is not God.)

When I first became a Christian, I would attend a prayer group where a few families would get together with the intention of seeking God. There was this person who would attend the group that would pray an elaborate prayer. He would always pray first and would literally spend 1/2 hour in prayer...quoting scripture as he prayed. He seemed to pray everything that we discussed before the prayer time. As a new Christian, I was impressed with how he prayed, but I was also inimidated by his praying. I usually stayed silent because I knew my prayer {that I thought God put on my heart} was not good enough. As I read and study this scripture, I now realize that he was praying for recognition from men, not from God.

Joe