Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
But
when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.
Mt 6:5-8
(
The model prayer: Our Father)
Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth
as it is in heaven...
Mt 6:9-10
Whenever you fast, don’t be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
But
when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Mt 6:16-17
(Holman CSB. translation - TAP on the numbers for ESV)
Whenever you pray / Whenever you fast - it is quite obvious that these actions are not optional before Jesus. This is one of His fundamental teachings. It contains a pattern and a warning for the praying and fasting person.
Assoc articles:
·
Prayer basics
·
Confidence in Prayers
·
Our Father in the Heaven
·
prayers, supplications
