Matthew 6:5-8 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Prayer.

The duty of prayer is assumed. To be without prayer is to be without religion. "Behold, he prayeth," is another way of saying," He has become a Christian" ( Acts 9:11 ). Prayer is the language and homage of dependence. The idea is that of coming to God for a blessing with a vow ( προσεχῦη , from πρὸς ," with," and εὔχη ," a vow"), viz. to fulfil the conditions upon which his blessings are promised. The elements of acceptable prayer are—

I. SINCERITY .

1 . The prayer of the hypocrite is deception.

2 . The prayer of the hypocrite is idolatry.

3 . The true man ' s prayer is true.

II. SIMPLICITY . The expedients of hypocrisy are avoided.

1 . As to posture.

2 . As to place.

(a) ostentation,

(b) distraction.

Isaac went into the field ( Genesis 24:63 ); Christ went up into a mountain; Peter found a closet on the housetop.

3 . As to manner.

III. FAITH .

1 . Prayer gives no information to God.

2 . -Prayer is enjoined to help us to feel our need.

3 . It is also enjoined to encourage our faith in God.