The hypocrites which Jesus is referring to, are the religious leaders. They especially wanted to be seen as ‘holy.’ In an effort to be seen as holy, they would practice public prayer. They would stand in the court yard. They would stand in the temple and with a loud voice pray long elaborate prayers. The purpose of their prayers was not to make God the center of attention, but themselves.

Jesus saw these prayers for what they were, self-righteous acts. This does not mean all public prayer is wrong. There is a place for public prayer. To pray only where others will see you is an indication that your real audience is not God. They are acts performed, not out of sincerity or devotion to God.

Jesus gave an example of the kind of prayer a hypocrite prayed.

Luke 18:9-14 "Two men went into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed, ‘God I thank You that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulters, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’"

Jesus exposed the hypocritical attitudes of the religious leaders. They knew the scriptures but did not live by them. They didn’t care about being holy - just looking holy in order to receive the people’s admiration and praise.

Mark 12:40 "They, the religious leaders, devour widow’s houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers."

The Pharisees did not go to the temple to pray to God but to announce to all within earshot how good he was.

"When you pray, do not pray like the hypocrites."

Such praying is self righteous. Self righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others and prevents him or her from learning anything from God. The tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer, because we all need God’s mercy every day.

"When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words."

It is not wrong to come to God many times with the same requests. Jesus encourages persistent prayer. But Jesus condemns the shallow repetition of words that are not offered with a sincere heart. We can never pray too much if our prayers are honest and sincere.

Prayer is not the art of asking God for things. Prayer is offering yourself to God. Make prayer the time to give yourself this day as a gift to God. Prayer becomes the expression of our intimacy with God. We confess and listen and hear.

The conditions for effectual prayer include:

1. A right relationship of repentance and faith;

2. An ernest and spiritual desire;

3. A confidence in God which leads the asker to ask in simple trust;

4. And a faith which believes that God is both able and willing to answer.

Powerful, faithful and effective prayer must be built on a correct mind set as well as heart set. When we claim to honor God with prayer, while our hearts are far from Him, our prayers mean nothing. Our prayers and attitude must be sincere.

When you pray do not be like the hypocrites...do not heap up empty phrases like the Gentiles.

When you pray say:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

AMEN

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