Priority Praying

When Jesus begins His discourse on praying in Matthew 6 He says, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.” Jesus assumes that a devoted follower of God will pray, but He does instruct us on the right way and wrong way to pray. He focuses on two powerful contrast, public prayer verses private devotion, and content verses character. The problem with the hypocrites is that they “...stand and pray…that they may be seen of others.” The problem as Jesus points out is not public prayer but the motivation for public prayer, for the hypocrites is to be seen of men. The public prayer must match the private devotion of the believer and when it doesn’t the result is a life of hypocrisy. The disciple is called to private devotion which God chooses to reward openly. Next Jesus addresses the content of prayer. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases…for they think they will be heard for their many words.” An increased quantity does not equal an improved quality of communication. Prayer is not a device used to manipulate God, but is the means ordained by God to meet out needs, “...for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” The challenge then is to distinguish good priorities verses God priorities. Jesus gives us His priorities for prayer in verse nine, “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever, Amen.” His priorities should be ours. A good priority lists may include success, gain, and a house, but a God priority would include service, giving, and hospitality. Good priorities for prayer often focus on our needs, God priorities center on His glory.