Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-7
When we pray as a group, we should be praying in a spirit of unity, of letting God know that we all agree on what we are asking Him to do. We should never pray publicly
for the sole reason of having other people notice us. Public opinion of our prayers (or any other part of our spiritual lives) should not matter. The only One we should try to please by our prayers and other spiritual activities is God.
Even when no other human being sees what we are doing for God, God sees and it is the things that we do when only God is watching which please God the most. If we are careful to keep our motives for praying and the other things that we do for God pure, God will reward us.
We need to take to heart Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6:1 which says, “Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” In verses 6 & 7, Jesus went on to say, “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.”
In essence, praying with other people is good. Praying in a room where the only one with you is God is awesome! Doing good things in full view of other people is good. Doing good things when only God knows that you’ve done them is priceless!
The most important point is this – whatever you do for God, do it to please God alone, not to please the public.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3 & 4
Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me any wrong motives for the good things I do. I want to serve You with sincerity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.