DAY 2 – What is prayer?

Matthew 6:5-6 (NKJV) “The Model Prayer. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

In Matthew 6 verses 5 to 6 Jesus gives clear guidelines as to what prayer is and how it should be done.

We learn 3 important things from these verses:

• Prayer is not hypocrisy – In Greek hypokritēs, hypocrite, implying arrogance and hardness of heart, utterly devoid of sincerity and genuineness. Prayer has nothing to do with yourself – it is unto the Father. It’s not impressing or wanting to be seen or heard but an act of worship.

• Prayer is intimacy implied by “go into your room” to Your Father in the secret place

• Prayer is intimate, the secret time and space between you and God – where things happen. God will hear you in the secret intimate place but reward you openly. Your secret discussions with God will bring a reward, one that will glorify God for all to see.

In conclusion – prayer is intimacy, not hypocrisy. God is looking for a pure, set aside heart ready to come before Him in the secret place as you give Him your everything. By no means the above is implying that prayer is limited to your room but should be an act of intimacy with God.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You desire to meet us at the secret place of our hearts and minds, a place that is totally devoted and connected to You, as we become One in You as we pray. Amen.

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