The Prayer Chain
Teach Us To Pray
January 5, 2020
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches that prayer must be motivated by a desire for intimate communion with God—not by seeking human approval or trying to manipulate God—and that we should approach God as our Father, confidently dwelling in His presence.
Summary
Using the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches in Matthew 6 that how and why we pray matters: prayer is arranged like the Ten Commandments to expose motives and call believers to sincerity. He warns against praying to be seen or to earn approval from others—sins shared with ostentatious giving and fasting—and challenges us to examine whether we view God as someone to be persuaded or feared. Instead we are invited to come to the throne room as family, to enjoy God’s presence, know Him more deeply, and seek refreshment and renewal in our prayer lives.
Key Points
- The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6) exposes the motives behind prayer and is structured to teach proper orientation toward God.
- Prayer, giving, and fasting can all become performative if done for human approval; such hypocrisy nullifies divine reward.
- If our motive is to earn praise or manipulate outcomes, God will not bless that practice.
- How we pray reveals our view of God: do we think He must be persuaded, or do we fear His answers?
- The correct posture is to approach God as Father—intimate, familial communion rather than strangers or performers.
- Prayer's primary purpose is to enter the throne room, dwell on God's beauty, and enjoy His presence.
- The sermon calls believers to reinvigorate their prayer lives, seeking God for relationship rather than self-approval.
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