Did Jesus oppose public prayer? His words in Matthew 6:5-15 address religious show business. Christianity is plagued by pretenders. There are hypocrites: “you must not be like the hypocrites,” i.e. the

religious leaders, v. 5. They built their religious reputations on impressing the people. When the time of prayer came, they stopped, turned toward the temple, and raised their hands in prayer. I wonder if they even planned to be in just the right spot. What was Jesus’ remedy? If you can’t pray sincerely in public, do it privately, v. 6. There are also heathens: “do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles” i.e. the unsaved, v. 7 They repeated canned prayers, thinking many words makes God listen. What was Jesus’ remedy? Deal with your purpose for praying, v. 8. Prayer is not a tool to inform God or change His mind. Jesus gave a model for acceptable prayer. First, how to address God—“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (v. 9) He’s not “the man upstairs.” Second, how to include His purpose—“Your will be done, on earth.” (v. 10) This is a new perspective on life’s purpose. Third, how to depend on His provision—“Give us this day our daily bread.” (v. 11) Dependence on physical provision as well spiritual. Fourth, how to maintain a right attitude—“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven.” (v. 12) If you are not able to truly forgive, then you are not able to receive forgiveness. Fifth, how to ask for God’s protection—“Deliver us from evil.” (v. 13) God is able to spare us from temptation; He is also able to deliver us from Satan. Sixth, how to restore broken fellowship—“If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive …” (vv. 14-15) It’s two sides of the same coin: “forgive” and “be forgiven” The question is not whether relationships will be broken; the question is what we do when they do break.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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