Warning vs. Hypocrisy
in Prayer

Sermon Introduction

The Lord Jesus gave a warning to His disciples. The warning covered giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. He wanted His disciples to veer away from the examples of the hypocrites. Hypocrites were actors who wore masks on stage. In the context of the text, it meant religious counterfeit. To avoid being a hypocrite, the Lord did not want them to make a show or performance of their righteous acts like giving, prayer, and fasting. The Lord wanted His disciples to act secretly and not to call attention. The sermon today will cover prayer.

Alfie Uy
Guest Preacher

Matthew 6:5-15 ESV

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Notes

The Lord Jesus gave a warning to His disciples. The warning covered giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. He wanted His disciples to veer away from the examples of the hypocrites. Hypocrites were actors who wore masks on stage. In the context of the text, it meant religious counterfeit. To avoid being a hypocrite, the Lord did not want them to make a show or performance of their righteous acts like giving, prayer, and fasting. The Lord wanted His disciples to act secretly and not to call attention. The sermon today will cover prayer.

1. The Lord instructed His disciples not to be like the hypocrites who love to pray in public so others can see them. He also warned them to avoid meaningless repetitions because the number of repetitions does not necessarily mean that the Father listens (6:5-8).
   

2. The Lord taught that prayer is about the Father who is in heaven. Therefore, one may approach God with intimacy yet with humility and reverence. However, one must also submit to His sovereignty and pray for His will to be done (6:9-10).
   

3. The Lord instructed His followers to pray for their needs, the heart to forgive, avoid temptation, and be far from evil (6:11-15). Note that the weight is more on the spiritual needs than the material.

Application

1. Avoid religious hypocrisy. Do not turn prayer into a show of spirituality. Instead, let us practice sincere, private prayer, not for show, but to commune with God the Father.

2. In public, do not be like the hypocrites who pray so that people may see their prayer. Instead, enjoy private prayer with the Father. Approach with intimacy yet also with humility and reverence.

3. Pray for our material needs such as food, shelter, education, transportation, protection, health, and such. But remember to pray for spiritual 2 needs more, including forgiving others, avoiding temptation, and deliverance from evil.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Based on the text, how should we NOT pray?

2. How should we pray?

3. Name some elements (e.g., intimacy) of the prayer that the Lord taught.