How Not To Pray

Matthew 6:5-8

Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” 

2 bad habits that need to go:   

1. Don’t pray for the show

     The degeneration of prayer:

1. It was ritualistic
2. It was rote

    What's the problem? 

1. The posture?
2. The public nature?
3. The place?
4. The piety!

     Pray like this (v. 6): Not for the flash but to the Father who is in secret

2. Don’t pray to manipulate

     What's the problem?

1. Persistent prayer?
2. Empty phrases!

     The root of the problem is a misunderstanding of who God is!

     Pray like this: Not mindlessly repetitive but meaningfully relational