Even though Jesus warned against the practices of praying in public and using meaningless repetition, many people still make their prayers known and/or use meaningless repetitions. Aside from the hypocrisy of wanting to be heard by men, I believe there is another reason many do this, that is, because the attention of others provides a sense of stability to their double-mindedness, and cushions their unbelief.
Jesus said we are to pray in secret, (Matthew 6:6). This is not as easy as it sounds. When we go into our inner room and shut the door, we are the only person there, with the exception of an unseen God. In my case, it is just me, by myself. There is no one to shout “Amen” and no one to agree with me. This is where rubber meets the road. This is a lonely place, but it is also a place that leads to steadfastness and inexpressible joy.
When Jesus said we must go into our inner room, and shut the door, and pray in secret, He also gave us a promise that God who sees in secret will reward us. Our prayers are to be as our giving, — in secret, (Matthew 6:1-8).
One of the greatest examples of believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him is when one is in dire need, and asks God to fulfill that need without telling anyone else of the need. To trust God alone, without the involvement of another human being, is one of the highest forms of respect that one can show to the Lord. It is faith with works; the works being resisting every urge to plant seeds of your need in the minds of other people. It is submitting to a trial of fire where the heat is so intense that every crutch and every excuse burns to a crisp, and every ounce of dross melts away, leaving only faith in its most brilliant form, that of absolute dependence on our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our Savior. Double-mindedness and unbelief are burnt to a crisp in this sort of trial.
Grace and peace to all who trust God, and not man.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
P.S. Please weigh everything I say on the scales of the Word of God.
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