Prayer Journal

Wednesday, December 3, 2003

Jesus' words in this text inform us of what to do and what not to do in one sentence. Some call this such an interpretation a negative viewpoint on Christianity. They might argue that God requires a positive outlook regardless of the circumstances. I hate to burst the flowery dreamlike state of such people, but prayer is a actually relationship (with God). As such, it must be based on honesty; first in regard to our conversation and secondly in regard to where we stand compared to the black/white truth of God's word.

These words of Jesus from Matthew's perspective should remind us that prayer is not rote repetition or something done to be seen. Instead, prayer should be honest communication between us and God. Our words should be our own and based on who we are and how we normally communicate. No "thee's" and "thou's" are required as God does not speak King's English or any other other language as we define it. However, when He does speak to our heart and move our spirit, we know who He is and exactly what He is saying.

It's significant to me that Jesus starts this discourse with the words, "when you pray" and not "if you pray." There shouldn't even be a question of doing it of not doing it. Christians do it!

Jesus also speaks of "how" we should pray. It's important how it looks to those who see us. We shouldn't make a big deal of the fact that we're doing it nor try to appear super spiritual to others who watch us. We shouldn't boast of doing it nor boast of "how" we do it or "why" we do it. In fact, we should never boast of anything "good" we do because it's only by God's grace and His power that we are able to do anything good.

And what is our attitude while we pray? Are we truly worshiping or just putting on a show. Simply stated, prayer should never be done to impress anyone for any reason at any time. The Pharisees were known for both the way they prayed and the way they frustrated God's Son. Most of them kept praying long and loud, never noticing the contradiction they demonstrated to those who watched.

OK, let's see what you learned by discerning the proper biblical response to the following real life situation:
One deacon was given the responsibility to assemble other deacons to pray for the minister and the service before the start of the service. This was a continuing effort of the deacon chairman's stated goal to make the deacon body more visible to the rest of the church. The chosen place for the prayer meeting was on the steps leading to the pulpit where people could see.

Another deacon liked the idea of praying, but stated doing it for appearance was the wrong thing to do. He suggested an alternative plan for praying. He preferred using a seldom used off-side foyer so as to avoid giving the wrong impression to the congregation. He also suggested doing it before, during and after the meeting and not just for a couple of minutes prior to it. So tell me; which plan would you have endorsed?

I doubt anyone taking this quiz after reading today's devotion got the wrong answer. Scripture says to avoid even the appearance of evil. Now you know the "appearance" of righteousness should also be avoided. It's definitely easier to discern truth when you get it straight from God's word instead of deciding what's right based on good motives or right intention, isn't it?

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2003 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
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I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself