PRAYING WITHOUT HYPOCRISY

Matthew 6:5-8

May 17, 2020

I. Introduction

Three examples of hypocrisy:

1. ____________ – 6:2-4

2. ____________ – 6:5-8

3. ____________ – 6:16-18

II. The Audience: Other Men

Jesus makes a few statements for His listeners concerning how not to pray.

1. Do not pray __________________________ (v.5)

2. Do not pray with constant repetition, gibberish, mumblings, and mutterings.

What had happened to the high standard and priority of prayer for the Jews?

1. Prayer had become ritualized. Three basic attitudes:

a. Sincere – Used by Jews whose hearts were right – correct worship!

b. ______________ – spoken perfunctorily and quickly in order to finish

c. _________ – recited prayers meticulously, enunciating every word and syllable properly, three times per day to display their piety!

2. Prescribed prayers were developed for every object and occasion.

3. Prayer was limited to certain times and occasions.

4. The effectiveness of a prayer was in direct proportion to its __________.

5. Prayer containing meaningless repetition.

6. The desire to be _________________ by other people, esp. their fellow Jews.

III. The True Audience: God (v.6)

The basic definition of prayer is “___________________________.”

IV. The Content of Prayer

1. False Content: Meaningless Repetition (v.7) – Examples:

a. Elijah on Mt. Carmel – (I Kings 18:26-29; Acts 19:24-34).

b. Many Buddhists spin wheels containing written prayer, believing that each turn of the wheel sends that prayer to their god.

c. Catholics light prayer candles in the belief their requests will continue to ascend repetitiously to God as long as the candle is lit.

d. Rosaries are used to count off repeated prayers of Hail Mary and Our Father.

2. True Content: Sincere Requests (v.8)

V. Conclusion