Praying Without Pretense: Embracing Authentic Communion with God

 We are going to be starting a series from Matthew on prayer today.  How you communicate with God is as important as how He communicates with you.

I want to give you a little background on this series. It is one that I wrote nearly 45 years ago as an exercise in homiletics class. We were asked to take a portion of scripture and draw out of it as many sermons or homilies as we could without significantly repeating ourselves. This draws from Matthew 6 and "The Lord's Prayer" The object was to show that God's word has no limitations. I'm hoping that you will enjoy this exercise as much as I did then and as much as I did in bringing it up to date.

In a world filled with performative spirituality—social media posts showcasing "prayer warriors" and public displays of piety—it's easy to lose sight of what true prayer really means. As followers of Christ, especially within fundamentalist Christian communities where we uphold the Bible as our ultimate authority, we must return to the unadulterated teachings of Jesus. Today, let's dive into Matthew 6:5-8, a passage that calls us to pray without pretense, seeking God's approval rather than human admiration. This isn't just ancient wisdom; it's a timeless blueprint for genuine faith.

The Trap of Hypocritical Prayer

Jesus doesn't mince words: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full" (Matthew 6:5, NIV). The hypocrites here were the religious elite of Jesus' time—the Pharisees—who turned prayer into a performance art. Their goal? To impress onlookers and bolster their reputations.

But let's bring this home. In our fundamentalist circles, where public prayer is a staple of church services, Bible studies, and family devotions, we face similar temptations. Have you ever elongated a prayer to sound more eloquent, or chosen words that highlight your theological depth rather than your heartfelt need? Scripture warns us: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). God isn't impressed by our rhetoric; He desires authenticity. As Psalm 51:6 puts it, He wants "truth in the inner parts." Hypocrisy in prayer robs us of true intimacy with God and replaces eternal rewards with temporary pats on the back.

Expanding on this, consider how modern culture amplifies this issue. With live-streamed services and prayer chains on social platforms, the line between sincere devotion and self-promotion blurs. Yet, Jesus' warning remains: If our prayers are for show, that's all the reward we'll get. Instead, let's cultivate a faith that's real, even when no one is watching.

The Power of Private Prayer

Jesus offers a clear alternative: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6). This isn't a ban on corporate prayer—after all, the early church prayed together fervently (Acts 2:42)—but an emphasis on personal, hidden communion with God.

In our busy lives, carving out this "closet time" can feel challenging. Yet, it's here, in solitude, that we experience God's presence most profoundly. Think of it as a sacred rendezvous where distractions fade, and we can pour out our souls without filters. The reward? Not material blessings per se, but spiritual depth: answered prayers aligned with His will (1 John 5:14-15), renewed strength, and a heart transformed to reflect Christ. As the Psalmist rejoices, "You who seek God, your hearts shall live" (Psalm 69:32).

For fundamentalist Christians committed to biblical literalism, this practice reinforces our core values. It guards against ritualism, ensuring our faith isn't just doctrinal but deeply relational. If you're new to this, start small—five minutes in a quiet space, focusing on adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, as modeled in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

 Avoiding Empty Repetitions

Jesus continues: "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:7-8). Pagan prayers often involved endless chants to appease distant gods, but our Father is intimately aware of our needs—even before we voice them (Isaiah 65:24).

This challenges us to pray with purpose, not verbosity. In fundamentalist traditions, where we value precise theology, our prayers can sometimes become formulaic litanies. James 4:3 reminds us: We don't receive because we ask with wrong motives, seeking our desires over God's glory. True prayer aligns our will with His, fostering dependence and trust.

To expand practically, avoid "babbling" by preparing your heart through Scripture reading. Let verses like Proverbs 28:9 guide you: "If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable." Obedience fuels effective prayer, turning it from rote words into a powerful dialogue.

 Living Out Prayer Without Pretense

So, how do we apply this? Examine your motives daily: Is your prayer life about God or about you? Embrace simplicity, as in the Lord's Prayer—a model of humility and focus. In our communities, encourage one another toward authentic devotion, shunning showmanship.

Ultimately, praying without pretense marks mature faith. It draws us into deeper fellowship with our omniscient Father, who rewards the sincere. As a fundamentalist body, let's commit to biblical truth in action, letting our secret prayers fuel our public witness.

What about you? How will you strip away pretense in your prayer life today? Share in the comments—let's build each other up in Christ.

DMMC 

1-7-26