MATTHEW 6:5-8
TEACHING ABOUT PRAYER
Matthew 6:5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
The Jewish Practice of Public Prayer
In Jesus’ time, it was common for Jews to stand and pray publicly, often in synagogues or at prominent places like street corners. The traditional posture for prayer was standing with hands outstretched towards heaven, as seen when Solomon dedicated the Temple: “Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, and stretching forth his hands towards heaven…” (1 Kgs 8:22). Prayer was an integral part of daily life, with Jews praying three times a day, even when they were on the streets.
However, Jesus criticized the Pharisees and other religious leaders who chose public places for prayer not out of devotion, but to be seen and admired by others. This desire for attention and recognition undermined the true purpose of prayer. Jesus was not against public prayer itself; He was against the exhibitionistic approach and the impure motives behind such displays.
This warning highlights that those who pray for public recognition have already received their full reward – the fleeting admiration of others – thereby forfeiting any spiritual benefit from God. Jesus’ teaching on prayer emphasizes the importance of sincerity and humility in our relationship with God. Prayer is considered essential in the Christian faith, however, Jesus cautions against engaging in this important practice to seek public praise, which He condemns as hypocritical behavior.
Catholic Interpretation
The Catholic Church echoes Jesus’ teachings, emphasizing that prayer should be a heartfelt communication with God, not a performance for others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2562) reinforces that “the heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live… It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death,” indicating that true prayer comes from a sincere heart.
Catholic tradition values both communal and private prayer. While public prayer, such as during the Mass, is important, personal prayer in solitude is equally essential. Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray alone, setting an example for private devotion (Lk 5:16).
Biblical References to Humility in Prayer
– Luke 18:10-14: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrates Jesus’ teaching on humility in prayer. The Pharisee’s prayer is focused on self-righteousness, while the tax collector humbly asks for God’s mercy. Jesus praises the latter’s approach, highlighting the value of humility in prayer.
– 1 Samuel 16:7: “The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” This verse reminds us that God values the sincerity of our hearts over external displays of piety.
Reflection on Sincerity in Prayer
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:5 challenges us to examine our motivations in prayer and religious practices. Are we seeking to glorify God or ourselves? In a world that often values outward appearances, Jesus calls us to prioritize our interior life, ensuring that our prayer comes from a place of genuine love and devotion to God.
The hypocrites Jesus refers to were those who performed religious acts for social recognition, distorting the true purpose of prayer. The Catechism emphasizes that prayer should be done with a pure heart, free from any desire for human praise (CCC 2559). True prayer is a humble acknowledgment of our dependence on God and a heartfelt communication with Him (CCC 2562).
As Christians, we are encouraged to cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayer that is marked by sincerity, humility, and a focus on God’s will rather than our own need for recognition. This passage challenges us to shift our focus from the approval of others to the approval of God, who knows our hearts and desires our sincere devotion.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of prayer, which allows us to draw near to You. Help us to approach You with sincere hearts, seeking not the praise of others but Your divine presence. Teach us to pray with humility and authenticity, that our lives may reflect Your love and truth. May our prayers be a true reflection of our faith and devotion to You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
This instruction is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addresses the nature of true piety and devotion. Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincerity and humility in prayer, contrasting it with the hypocritical and ostentatious displays of piety by those who pray publicly to gain admiration from others.
Context and Meaning
The “inner room” mentioned by Jesus symbolizes a private, sacred space where one can communicate intimately with God, free from distractions and the desire for human approval. It is both a physical and spiritual space, representing the inner sanctuary of the heart where true communion with God occurs. In this quiet place, one can pour out their heart to God without pretense or fear of judgment, aligning with the Old Testament understanding of prayer as a deeply personal conversation with God, as seen in the prayers of the prophets and the psalms.
Catholic Teachings and Practices
Catholic teachings encourage a balance between communal and personal prayer. While public prayers, such as the Mass, are central to Catholic worship, personal prayer is equally vital for spiritual growth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of finding time for personal prayer, viewing it as an essential component of a Christian’s life.
Reflection
Matthew 6:6 invite us to examine our motives in prayer. Are we seeking God’s presence, or are we more concerned with how others perceive us? Jesus challenges us to cultivate a prayer life that is authentic, sincere, and rooted in a genuine desire for a deeper relationship with God. In our busy lives, finding a quiet space to pray can be challenging, but it is essential for nurturing our spiritual well-being. True prayer is not about impressing others but about seeking God’s presence with a humble and sincere heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You who see all things and know the secrets of our hearts, grant us the grace to seek You with sincerity and humility. Help us to find our quiet place where we can encounter Your presence in the depths of our being. May our prayers be pleasing to You, not for the recognition of others, but for the growth of our relationship with You. Guide us to trust in Your perfect will and to find comfort in Your promises. Through Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Matthew 6:7-8 “When you pray, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides a profound teaching on the nature of prayer, emphasizing sincerity and humility over verbosity and mechanical repetition. This teaching contrasts with both the hypocritical practices of some Jews and the ritualistic prayers of the Gentiles (pagans), who believed that lengthy and elaborate invocations would compel their gods to act.
Understanding Jesus’ Teaching
Jesus cautions against the use of “vain repetition” or “empty phrases” in prayer. This warning is not against repeated prayers per se, but rather against the notion that mere repetition or verbosity can make prayer more effective. The Gentiles, believing that their gods could be swayed by the sheer volume of words, often engaged in lengthy and repetitive prayers. However, Jesus clarifies that such practices do not align with the nature of the true God, who knows our needs even before we articulate them.
Catholic Perspective on Repetitive Prayer
The Catholic Church teaches that prayer is a personal dialogue with God, rooted in a sincere and humble disposition. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2559), prayer is “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” The Church values established prayers, such as the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, when they are recited with genuine devotion and reflection. These prayers are not “vain” when they serve as meditative tools to deepen one’s relationship with God.
Repetitive prayers, like those found in the Rosary, are seen as a way to meditate on the mysteries of faith and the life of Christ. For example, while in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus himself repeated his prayer three times (Mt 26:44), showing that repetition, when done with the right heart and intention, can strengthen our appeal to God. The key lies in the intention behind the prayer, ensuring it is heartfelt and not merely mechanical.
Trust in God’s Providence
Jesus reassures His followers that God knows their needs before they ask. This teaching invites Christians to trust in God’s providence, reminding them that prayer is not about informing God of their needs but about aligning their will with His. As Jesus teaches, “So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Mt 6:31-33). This trust is foundational in Catholic spirituality, where believers are encouraged to surrender their worries to God, confident in His wisdom and love (CCC 2828).
Reflection
This passage challenges us to examine our prayer life. Are our prayers sincere and heartfelt, or have they become mere routines? Jesus calls us to approach God with simplicity, trust, and humility, avoiding the temptation to think we can manipulate Him through our words. Instead, our prayers should reflect a deep trust in God’s loving care and an earnest desire to align our lives with His will.
The simplicity of the Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus introduces immediately after this passage, serves as a model for how we should pray – with reverence, simplicity, and faith. Let us strive to ensure that our prayers are not just a matter of words, but a true expression of our relationship with God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of prayer, a means through which we can draw closer to You. Help us to pray with sincerity and trust, avoiding empty words and instead offering You our hearts. May we always remember that You know our needs even before we ask, and may our prayers reflect our love and devotion to You. Strengthen our faith, that we may always trust in Your divine providence, and help us to align our will with Yours in all things. Amen.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:5-8 profoundly challenge us to examine the authenticity of our prayer life. Jesus emphasizes that prayer is not about public displays of piety or the use of many words to gain God’s attention. Instead, He calls us to approach prayer with sincerity, humility, and a focus on our relationship with God. Prayer, as Jesus teaches, is a deeply personal and intimate communication with our Heavenly Father, who already knows our needs before we speak them. The true reward of prayer lies not in human recognition but in the quiet, profound connection we make with God in our hearts.
As Christians, we are encouraged to cultivate a prayer life that is genuine and centered on God’s will. Whether in communal settings or in the solitude of our inner room, our prayers should reflect a sincere desire to draw closer to God and to align our lives with His divine purposes. Let us strive to move beyond the superficiality of outward appearances and instead seek the deeper spiritual rewards that come from a humble and honest conversation with our Creator.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You who search our hearts and know our deepest needs, grant us the grace to pray with sincerity and humility. Help us to find the quiet places in our lives where we can encounter You without distraction or pretense. May our prayers be a true reflection of our faith and devotion to You, and may they draw us closer to Your loving presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.