TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

Please read Matthew 6:5-13

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

DEVOTIONAL

by Stephanie Reloj

A pastor shared his experience and said he witnessed a camp where the participants prayed so much; if I am not mistaken, it took them the whole morning. Wow! I am imagining if we do it today in our camps, will the participants do it sincerely or just because it is part of the program? Will they take it positively or not?

Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of those who pray merely to be seen and praised by others. He contrasts this with the sincere prayer of those who seek communion with God and desire to give Him the glory He deserves.

Jesus isn’t forbidding public prayer but rather cautioning against the self-centeredness of those whose prayers are more about seeking approval from others than about connecting with God. Their focus is on themselves, not on the One to whom they are praying.

Jesus then teaches His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, a model of prayer that begins with reverence and praise for God’s name, kingdom, and will. This prayer reflects a heart that seeks to honor God above all else. It acknowledges God as our loving Father in heaven and invites us to bring our needs and concerns before Him in humility and trust.

What a privilege it is to have a personal relationship with God, who invites us to come to Him with our requests and to trust Him for our daily provision. Through prayer, we can experience the intimacy of communion with our Heavenly Father, knowing that He hears and cares for us.

 

PRAYER