February 23, 2021

 Topic: Prayer and Praise

Praying with a sincere heart as well as simplicity of heart

MT 6:5-8

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray do not keep on babbling like the pagans for they think they will be heard because of there many words. 

MK 12:38-40

Jesus Warns the people about the teachers of the Law

As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplace, and have the most important seats in the synagogue and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely. 

I want to point out we don't have to think we are like these type of men because we desire to learn about prayer. It is a desire to reach God and learn what he likes and what he doesn't likes. So we seek with a pure heart. He also called them teachers of the law. This type of person or people may enjoy teaching the law to everyone else or telling others what they should be doing. Based on the passage there is a no sincere  relationship with God and what they do is only for show. A show is entertaining it is not sincere.

I am sure if you like  this daily blog it is not for show.   God has great rewards for you. I really believe that. I think these passages remind us that being religious is a good thing but sometimes it darkens the character because it can become a show as we become recognized by people as a person who follows the law. While it is a good thing it can become more about what people want from you or expect from you and God gets buried in process. Jesus says the public greetings so this mean these men became well known but there relationship with God become unknown. Enjoy God and as he reveals things to you make adjustments. A relationship with God is personal and so is your personal prayer life.  But there is a time for public prayer so I do not think God is condemning praying in public. I think the passage is pointing out the wrong motives of some people. It just so happens they like to pray in public. But we just learn last week how we need to have prayer services so we cannot judge people. God is looking at individuals hearts and we might not know who is this person he speaks off. Just because we do not know the heart of others but he knows if they are sincere or not. 

Have a great day!