Post by Sarah on Feb 21, 2007 18:17:11 GMT
Jesus gives much advice on praying in Matthew 6, where he also presents The Lord's Prayer. Here are some important points from this:
Mt 6:5
"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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."
- God doesn't like it when people focus more on what they look like to other people than the actual prayer itself. This is, in a way, putting what people think about you before God.
Mt 6:6
"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."
- Instead, you should pray in a place where it is only between you and God. This allows you to fully explore the intimacy of God and makes it more personal to you. God appreciates this kind of prayer much more, because you are His child and He loves getting to know you more!
Mt 6:7-8
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
- God is all-knowing, so He knows even your innermost thoughts. Therefore He knows what you want and He knows what you're going to pray. Words are not important to God, although He loves to here you pray. Make sure you do not become so focused on what you are going to say next that you forget the reason for the prayer.
Mt 6:5
"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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."
- God doesn't like it when people focus more on what they look like to other people than the actual prayer itself. This is, in a way, putting what people think about you before God.
Mt 6:6
"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."
- Instead, you should pray in a place where it is only between you and God. This allows you to fully explore the intimacy of God and makes it more personal to you. God appreciates this kind of prayer much more, because you are His child and He loves getting to know you more!
Mt 6:7-8
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
- God is all-knowing, so He knows even your innermost thoughts. Therefore He knows what you want and He knows what you're going to pray. Words are not important to God, although He loves to here you pray. Make sure you do not become so focused on what you are going to say next that you forget the reason for the prayer.
