Devotion:
Read Matthew 6:5-6.
Do you ever go into your garage or laundry room, close the door, and pray? Yet that’s what Jesus is telling his followers to do in this passage. The word that Jesus uses for the place to pray literally means “storeroom.” In Jesus’ day storerooms were out-of-the-way spaces that were used mainly for storing tools, supplies, and food. These rooms usually had a door that could be closed. Jesus’ directive makes prayer seem secretive and private. Could that be his point?
In this passage Jesus is teaching his listeners about prayer. Prayer is such an important part of the people’s religious lives, but some of the leaders tended to use prayer as a way to show off how religious and devout they were. Jesus warns against showy prayer. Earnest and honest prayer focuses on God alone. If you are satisfied with impressing others, that will be your only reward. But if you want God to hear your prayers, speak only to him. The Lord is not speaking against public prayer; however, we need to remind ourselves that the audience is not the people who hear our prayers, but the audience is God.
Personal Worship Option:
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of prayer. Teach us to pray faithfully, making space in our busy, noisy world to pour out our hearts and listen to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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