Matthew 6:5-6

We love to get recognition, don't we? To receive praise for a job well done, or to receive an award for winning a contest. Jesus' message here in Matthew 6 is not that recognition is inherently a bad thing, but it is wrong when it becomes the focus and purpose of your prayer life. When we pray and focus on others around us, we are communicating more to people than we are communicating with God. Jesus is teaching that prayer is communication between you and God, and we need to be intentional about shutting out other distractions that take our focus away from Him. Whether it's the noise of a busy household, or the noise from within our own heads seeking praise from others, we need to seek out a time and place that we can be alone with God. He desires our undivided attention, and He will reward you for coming to Him with a pure heart and pure motives.

PASSAGE: Matthew 6:5-6 - 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

PAUSE: Jesus expects us to pray. In this sermon, he taught his disciples how to pray. He encouraged them to find a private and secret place where they could pray. Do you have that place? A quiet place to pray with just you and God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, grant me a place, a place for just me and you to pray. What a wonderful surprise that you will reward me for my prayers, I give you thanks and praise.