Matthew 6:5-15
1. Prayer is a portal to the world of the heart.
The street corner and the closet contrast two different hearts.
Public prayers are an act of service to give an example for others to imitate and lead the people of God in the practice of prayer.
2. Pray your private prayers in private and your public prayers in public.
Hypocrisy =
“God can pick sense out of a confused prayer.” -Richard Sibbes
The Lord’s Prayer gives us the perfect example, the perfect base from which we work in every prayer.
So ask your heart these questions:
a. Is God your Father?
b. Do you believe that God is morally perfect and above all?
c. Do you want everything on earth to point to him?
d. Will you work for earth to match heaven?
When we have desired the kingdom of Christ, we become content on earth.
e. Are you content with earthly things?
f. Do you seek God’s help for the forgiveness of sins first and most.
The heart and mind that grow hard and distracted always have first stopped considering the depth of their own sin.
g. Does your heart beat to be delivered entirely from evil?
Find forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ name, and you will have not only daily bread, but Jesus, who is the bread of life.
