Nigeria Baptist Convention Seek Daily Devotoinal For September 28, 2022 : Topic – Pray In Secret
SEEK DAILY (NBC)
PRAY IN SECRET
Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Bible Text: Matthew 6:5-8
Memory Verse: “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, NIV
Some delegates from a Christian retreat stopped at a busy restaurant for lunch. Just before eating, one member announced in a loud voice, “Let’s pray!” Then followed a lengthy “blessing” that did more to cool the food than warm people’s hearts. Finally, amid chuckle and grumbling, came the response, “Amen.”
Jesus began His teaching on prayer by instructing His disciples on how not to pray. We are to avoid praying like the hypocritical Pharisees who shout aloud in public to receive applause from men. Also, we should not babble with meaningless repetition like the way Gentiles do to impress their many gods. Jesus then prescribed the right way to pray, which is to pray in secret with simple direct petitions.
When Jesus told people to pray in secret, He does not condemn praying in public. His concern is on motives directed towards receiving applause from men rather than towards God. We should avoid spiritual show-off because prayer is not about impressing people but heartfelt communication with God.
Public prayer is supposed to be an offshoot of personal prayer. If the only time you pray is when you are with other brethren, you need to wake up!
Insight: Acts done for self-glorification are offensive to God.
Prayer: Father, I receive fresh grace to pray aright in Jesus’ name.
RBT Passage: Zechariah 1-5