Matthew 6:5 

New International Version (NIV)

“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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

For Meditation

There is no showmanship in prayer (Matt. 6:5). It’s not a circus. It is a heart affair and a private matter before our Father who is in heaven. So, don’t allow the noise around to distract you. Just let your heart speak to your Father in deep contrition and faith (6).

Again, it’s not your many words that gain the victory (7). God is not deaf. He cannot be cajoled into capitulating to your whim. It’s the motivation of your heart and its determination to prevail after the issues you bring before Him that matters.

We can’t bluff our way through prayer. God knows why you’re on your knees (8). Are you just putting in the time, or you’re doing it for righteousness sake? Such bluff offends God. So, don’t try it.

That’s why Jesus taught us to pray after this pattern:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

May the Lord hear your heart’s cry today; and may you offer to Him a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of your lip “that openly profess His name” (Heb. 13:15).

Shalom