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Avoiding Hypocrisy In Prayer - Religion - Nairaland

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Avoiding Hypocrisy In Prayer by yommyuk: 6:25am On Dec 12, 2016
People who are uncomfortable praying in public tend to love Matthew 6:6 ,because Jesus advocates praying in secret. However, Christ’s point was not our location but our attitude. His admonition wasn’t to avoid public prayer; rather, it was a warning not to pray hypocritically by seeking the approval of others.
We may be quick to think we’d never do that, but in reality, corporate prayer can be intimidating to many believers. We wonder how we sound to others: Did I say the right things? What did they think when I stumbled on my words? Was my prayer too long? Too short?

Generally, our problem is less about trying to impress others with our eloquence and spirituality than it is about feeling self-conscious, tongue-tied, and inept. However, if our focus is on how we sound, we may still be praying like a hypocrite because all we can think about is ourselves and other people’s perception of us. Although we may not admit it, we want their approval.

But the Lord never calls us out for being inarticulate or using bad grammar. He’s listening to the motivation of our spirit. How well we speak doesn’t matter if we’re truly talking to Him and not other people. When our focus is on God, His Spirit unites with ours, and those who hear are drawn into that sweet communion.

The solution for hypocrisy is not abstinence from all public prayer. Whether we pray in a closet or in an auditorium filled with people, we must remember that we’re speaking to an audience of one, and He delights in hearing from His children.

Matthew 6:7
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matthew 6:6
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.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Psalm 34:17
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.


IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS wink

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