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Leg 1 Day 81
Private Prayer
Jesus With Us
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Scripture:
Matthew 6:5-8 (NLT)
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!”
Life Lessons from Jesus:
In biblical days, a hypocrite was a play-actor. One person would act out many parts in a play. Therefore, they would hide their true identity behind different masks as they pretended to be someone else. One of the easiest places to play a hypocrite before God is in our prayer lives. If we are not careful, we will pray with rote prayers based more out of a routine than a personal relationship with Jesus. God deserves genuine prayer from His children. When we have a conversation with close friend, do we want a scripted conversation? Of course not. We want our friend to be responsive and interactive. Jesus desires no less. He wants to know what we are thinking and feeling. He wishes for us to tell Him, not because He needs the information, but because when we tell Him, we make it real for ourselves. He knows everything, which includes if what we are saying is genuine or just playing a part.
The WAY:
Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:
Have I started to chronicle my journey with a prayer journal?
How can I make my prayer time more personal?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer. Thank You that today and every day I can come to You with praise and thanksgiving along with hurt and pain and know You are with me. Help me to rely on You in all things. In Your name, Amen.
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