The Lord's Prayer - Lesson 2: Praying to be seen by men

The Lord’s Prayer

Lesson 2: Praying to be Seen by Men

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come;

Your will be done,

  On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors;

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:5-6 [5] “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

We should not use pray to exalt ourselves before men, but should pray so that God may hear and answer our petitions. Does this mean we should not stand and pray, or that we should never pray around other people? No. At times, Jesus went off alone to pray (Matthew 14:23). Other times he prayed when surrounded by people (John 11:41-42). In whatever circumstances he prayed, Jesus did not pray to be seen by men in order to gain their praise. Rather, in his praying, he always sought first his Father's kingdom and righteousness.

Prayer is valuable. God has given his people the privilege of presenting our petitions and requests, along with our praise and thanksgiving, before him. God values the use of this privilege such that he rewards those who use it properly. Hence, Jesus speaks of the Father rewarding those who pray.

This reward comes in more than one form: It may often be the answer to the request made; It includes reward in heaven in the next life; This reward may also be treasures of spiritual blessing that can only come from time spent alone with God in prayer.

This privilege of prayer can be misused. Instead of a means of presenting the sincere requests of a humble heart before God, pray can be misused by using it as a means to exalt self in the eyes of men, to gain praise and approval from men. When prayer is misused in this way, Jesus said that God will not reward those who misuse prayer thus. We ought not to expect that God will hear and answer such prayer.

Two motives for misusing prayer, or roots of temptation that lead to misusing prayer, are pride and (the location of our) treasure. They are often intertwined, such that it is difficult to separate them. First, in pride we exalt ourselves over others, and even over God. We are willing to use even prayer as a tool to exalt ourselves. In pride we use prayer to gain praise from men. Are we praying with pride in our heart or humility? Are we seeking to exalt ourselves, or to humble ourselves and exalt God?

This brings us to the second motive, treasure. What treasure do we value? Where are we laying up treasure? If we value earthly treasure, if we value praise from men more than praise from God, if we want treasure now, even if it is temporal and cheap (compared to real eternal treasure), we will be willing to use prayer to gain such treasure. Many, using prayer to gain treasure now, have gained the passing praise of men. Yet, they have lost the eternal praise from God.

It is important to pray in secret, and it is important to pray with the church. Both are important, and both are a healthy part of a healthy disciple of Jesus Christ. In prayer, there is a time to stand and a time to kneel. In all times, we should guard both our mouths and our hearts, that we may offer up acceptable prayer to God. One danger in prayer is that our words can be right while our heart is not right. This does not mean that we should not use certain words (such as the Lord's Prayer). It does mean that we should make sure our heart is right.

God's word tells us that God hears some prayers and not others. More specifically, it tells us that God hears the prayer of certain people and does not hear the prayer of other certain people. Both the prophets of old and the chosen apostles taught that God hears the prayer of the righteous, but his face is against evildoers. Again, we read that God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James wrote that the effectual prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. Jesus spoke of a tax collector (a sinner) whose prayer was heard because he humbled himself. Do you want your prayer to come to God's hearing? Walk in obedience, wearing the garment of humility.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Begin by reminding the children that we are now learning about the Lord's Prayer. Read Matthew 6:5-6 with them. These verses are the focus for this lesson.

Talk with the children about these verses. Ask them questions about them such as: What is wrong with the prayer or praying of the hypocrites? Did they receive a reward, and if so, what reward? Is this a good reward? Why do you think they prayed in this way? Why should we not imitate them? What should we do instead? What reward does God say he will give, what do you think the reward is?

It may be helpful to read Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 with the children when discussing why the hypocrite would pray in this way, and also when discussing what we should do instead.

Read the story in Luke 18:9-14 with the children. Ask the children questions about this story as well. How did each man pray compared with the Jesus' words in Matthew 6:5-6? Who did God hear and answer? What did each man obtain from his prayer? How should we pray?

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 [1] “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

[5] “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

[16] “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. [17] But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; [18] so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

[19] “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 18:9-14 [9] He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It is interesting that Jesus said of the Pharisee that he “prayed to himself.” Jesus does not speak of his prayer as being to God, though the words seem to address God. We are shown a man who used prayer to exalt himself. What did the praise of men gain him, when the righteous judge of all the earth did not hear his prayer, but counted him still guilty? Using prayer in this way, he obtained temporal glory, and everlasting condemnation. The tax collector prayed to God. He humbled himself before God and men. God heard his prayer, and forgave his sins. This tax collector obtained through humility what the Pharisee could not gain through pride.

More Stories and Examples:

Isaiah 38:1-8 [1] In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.’” [2] Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, [3] and said, “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Hezekiah wept bitterly. [4] Then Yahweh’s word came to Isaiah, saying, [5] “Go, and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. [6] I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city. [7] This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken. [8] Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down.”’”

Hezekiah did not pray to be seen by men, but prayed to the Lord. The Lord heard the prayer of this righteous king of Israel, and rewarded him greatly.

Daniel 9:1-4,18-22 [1] In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, [2] in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years. [3] I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. [4] I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,

[18] My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. [19] Lord, hear; Lord, forgive; Lord, listen and do; don’t defer, for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name. [20] While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God; [21] yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. [22] He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.

Daniel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord heard the prayer of this righteous man. The angel Gabriel was sent to speak with Daniel.

Acts 2:41-42 [41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

These first Christians continued steadfastly in prayer. While they must have prayed as individuals in their closets, they must have also gathered together for the purpose of prayer. One is not right and the other wrong. Both secret prayer and corporate prayer is an important and healthy part of the Christian's life. If a Christian prays with the church, but finds not time or desire to pray in their closet, something is wrong. If a Christian prays in secret, but is unwilling to pray with the church, something is wrong in this case as well. The Lord's Prayer is given with such wisdom that it teaches us to pray in secret for all God's people, and also to pray with all God's people in the church.

Haman sought the praise of men, and it lead to his destruction. Mordecai sought to please God, and was exalted. King Saul wanted Samuel to honor him in sacrificing before the people (1 Samuel 15:30). Ananias and Sapphira sought the praise of men, and were struck down (Acts 5:1-10).

Other Verses:

PRAYER GOD HEARS AND DOES NOT HEAR

Psalm 17:1 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

Praying to be seen by men is one example of praying with deceitful lips. Jesus taught us to pray for God's name and God's kingdom. When our words seek the honor of God's name, but our hearts (and actions, including our words) seek our own honor, are we not praying with deceitful lips?

Psalm 66:16-20 [16] Come, and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul. [17] I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue. [18] If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened. [19] But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer. [20] Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

Psalm 88:1-2 [1] Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. [2] Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry.

The Psalmist is not praying to be seen by men, for he cries to God day and night. He prays at all times, not just when he might be seen by men.

Psalm 141:1-4 [1] Yahweh, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you. [2] Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice. [3] Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. [4] Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies.

This Psalm is a prayer. The petitions in verses 3-4 could apply to all of life, we should also consider them in light of prayer. In our praying, we should consider our words (note Matthew 6:7). And in our praying, we should watch our hearts.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 15:29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 66:1-2 [1] Thus says Yahweh, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what kind of house will you build to me? and what place shall be my rest? [2] For all these things has my hand made, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.

James 5:16-18 [16] Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. [17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months. [18] He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

1 Peter 3:10-12 [10] For, “He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. [11] Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

SEEKING GLORY FROM MEN

Matthew 23:5-7 [5] But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, [6] and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, [7] the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.

Luke 16:14-15 [14] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. [15] He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

John 5:39-44 [39] “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. [40] Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life. [41] I don’t receive glory from men. [42] But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves. [43] I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. [44] How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?

John 12:42-43 [42] Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, [43] for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

OTHER

1 Samuel 2:30 “Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever.’ But now Yahweh says, ‘Be it far from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Psalm 106:13-15 [13] They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel, [14] but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland. [15] He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.

The people of God sought earthly things (a picture of loving the world) in their prayer to God. God gave them their requests. Their bellies obtained a temporal answer to their petitions, but their souls were were being lost.

Acts 3:1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Philippians 2:1-4 [1] If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, [2] make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

1 Peter 5:5-7 [5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

1 John 2:15-17 [15] Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. [17] The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

COMMENTS

In prayer, just as in the commandments, God is not simply looking for outward words or your body's posture (sitting, kneeling, standing, etc.).

He is just as concerned with our heart. Are we praying with pride in our heart or humility? Are we seeking to exalt ourselves, or to humble ourselves and exalt God?

A second matter that affects our prayer is treasure. Are we seeking treasure in heaven (eternal treasure), or treasure on earth (instant treasure, but also temporal treasure). Do we desire the instant treasure of praise from men, or do we seek the real and lasting praise from God? If we seek one or the other treasure in some area of life, we will seek it in prayer also. The more we pursue earthly treasure, even praise from men, the more our heart will love the world, and the less we will love God.