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Saturday, March 5, 2016

Sincere Praying (Matt. 6:5-8)

Outline: Matthew 6:5-8
  1. Sincere praying is fueled by pure motives  (vv.5-6)
  2. Sincere praying is marked by child-like trust (vv.7-8)
Summary: Just when we've been freshly inspired to radically obey God's word and display God's character (ch.5), Jesus hits us with a sobering warning in Matt. 6:1: "Beware of doing the right things from the wrong motives!"  Jesus warns us that God will not reward an obedient act if that act was fueled by wrong motives.  Motives matter to God--big time!  In His second illustration of this warning, Jesus teaches us that sincere praying comes from pure motives and a deep trust in our heavenly Father's care for us.  Our praying should be fueled not by a craving to be seen and praised by others, but by a desire to be seen and rewarded by God.  Our praying should be marked not by the empty and mindless repetitions of a pagan, but by the assurance and confidence of a well-loved child of God.

Discussion Questions:
  • Review: what is the relationship between ch.5 and the warning given in 6:1? 
  • What is it about the activity described in v.5 that is hypocritical?
  • Is it possible to be unsaved and still have a passion for prayer? Explain.
  • What reward does a hypocrite receive?
  • Why is God's special presence in the prayer closet and not on the street corner?
  • What does it mean to have pure motives?  What motives should fuel our prayer lives?
  • What difference is there between how Gentiles pray and how God's children pray? (vv.7-8)
  • What rewards can be expected by those who pray out of pure motives and deep trust? 
Application Questions:
  • How much do my motives matter to God?
  • What motives have been fueling my prayer life as of late? What should be fueling me?
  • What habits of empty, mindless prayer have I formed?  What are some remedies?
  • What would it look like to pray like a pure-motived, active-minded child of God?
Prayer Points:
  • Confess to God any impure motives or distrust that have hindered your prayers as of late.
  • Praise Jesus for shedding his blood to wash away all your bad motives and distrust.
  • Praise God for adopting you so that you can relate to Him in prayer as a well-loved child.  
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your prayer life by purifying your motives and increasing your trust in your heavenly Father's care for you.