If you remember our look at almsgiving we saw the Pharisees make a public display of it and the Lord rebuked them. Here we find the Pharisees in a similar situation over prayer. The Pharisees prayed frequently but always in public. Their desire was to impress people, with their piety. The important lesson for us today is to know our prayers are between us and God. Yes, there is opportunity for public prayer during worship or a public gathering. We see from our scripture the Lord did not condemn prayer because of the Pharisee’s perversion, the Lord actually purified the practice. Notice what Jesus told His disciples! When the prayed to do it alone and direct it to their father (God). Who would hear and answer. We should not allow any ungodly influence into our prayer life, doing so will give opportunity for it migrate through the entire practice of our faith.

To help us Jesus gave us a model prayer, we affectionately call it the Lord’s Prayer. Where we find it modeling several points; first we see prayer’s place in our worship. God is magnified as our Hallowed Father. Second we see prayers place in God’s work. “Your Kingdom come, your will be done.” This can be compared to the Great Commission. Third, we see prayers place in God meeting our daily needs. This is not only a request but a thanksgiving for all He has done to meet our needs. Fourth, we see prayers place in confession and forgiveness; “Forgive us our debts.” Fifth, we see prayers place in seeking protection and deliverance from the evil one; “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”