Sermon On The Mount: Prayer, Pleasing God… Or Men?
When you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father Who is in the secret place; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:5-8 (NKJV)
Are some grand preachers (consciously or not)... attempting to embellish their Teacher? Praying in a way Jesus never taught?
God says:
'The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters' (Matthew 10:24-25).
Beyond any doubt…
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, and we are His students.
Christ is our King, and we are His servants.
So where in the Word (and where in the world) did the Son of God pray lengthy, flowery, or flamboyant prayers in public? Upon diligent search, I’ve found ZERO… like I hear today on television and hardly any that were in public. But consider two:
Jesus on the Cross. It was short, but of eternal impact.
Jesus before the tomb of Lazarus: 'Jesus lifted up His Eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.' Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' ' (John 11:41-43).
Judging by our King’s Own explanation of why He was then praying in public, we gather such prayer was unusual. (But it’s not for us.)
Many church leaders are great orators. Their sermons arouse us--and well they should. Their prayers move us. But do they move God? Do they rise to Heaven like sweet incense?
'And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God' (Revelation 8:4).
As a Man, Jesus knew it was harder to focus on God in a public place, so 'He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed' (Luke 5:16)... ALONE.
Did He also fulfill this Commandment? 'Be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10).
Because God speaks to us intimately. Therefore, for us to hear His 'Still, small Voice' (1 Kings 19:12), we must become like His Voice: still and small!
Sermon On The Mount: Prayer, Pleasing God Or Men? (Part 16)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.