David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 6:2, 5, 7

²  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets…

⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do…

There is little doubt in Jesus’ mind that his followers ought to pray. There is little doubt that they will give money to the needy. There is every doubt, however, that they will forget the reason for doing these godly and holy things. Jesus knows, however, that we too easily forget that we are to be differentiated from the world by our attitude and motive in doing these things.

So he says, don’t give as hypocrites do with a show of the gift. Don’t pray as the hypocrites or Gentiles, seeking to impress God with your eloquence or fervency. Our prayer life must be shaped by the conviction that God hears us when we pray. Our giving must be done in expression of the Kingdom’s presence.

A careful look at the Lord’s Prayer helps us to understand that prayer, first of all, is simple and pure in its proper expression. While it is good to phrase our prayers in thoughtful and pious ways, the substance that matters is shaped by God’s word and an understanding of his kingdom. Prayer has much more to do with honoring God and seeking his kingdom’s presence than it does with offering God our laundry list of personal needs – legitimate as they may be. Nor is prayer to be a show of our supposed godliness or piety. We seek God’s honor, not our own. And he is very capable of causing his name to be honored in peoples’ hearts by means other than showy prayers.

We are not to become easy targets like the loud and long-praying hypocrites of Jesus’ day. They could be summarily dismissed as show-boating egomaniacs. But even worse, they could become the stumbling block in the way of the person of simple faith who knows he could never pray like they did, nor reflect the model of religious fervor they offered. Some times it’s better to practice our faith quietly than seek to become a religious superstar.

Jesus is the only true superstar, and his righteousness is ours by faith. We express that faith whenever we go into our closet to pray, and give quietly and generously as an expression of his kingdom’s presence.

Matthew 6:1-15

“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  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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:

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.