APRIL 16, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

APRIL 16 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 6:5-8

What is the evidence of a good prayer life? Some might think that the mark of a great prayer life is how well a person prays and is able to verbalize their prayers in public. The Lord would have us know that the real power and health of our prayer life is really what we do in private. Jesus did not condemn public or corporate prayer...He condemned making a show of it. There is certainly a time and place where the group of believers gather and one, two, or a few verbalize or lead the group in prayer. But more important to Jesus was that we have a time where we are alone with God...a time where we have intimate communion with the Lord...a time where the world is shut out and it is just us and the Lord.

Jesus was concerned that any of our faith walk, and our worship, be done just for show. He expressed His disdain for the Pharisees who made a big public spectacle of their prayer and their giving. They did their good deeds to be seen of others and if someone missed seeing them first hand, they sure didn't mind telling them all the good things they had done. We are not to be like this...when we pray we are to pray unto the Lord, being concerned that He hears us...when we give, we give to the Lord, not ever letting our "left hand know what our right hand is doing." We do what is right, we do this unto the Lord, knowing He sees and He will receive. Too much of the Christian faith had become a display to either impress people or prove our piety. We are called to live our lives unto the Lord. It could be that the ineffectiveness of today's church is from attempting to please and be seen of people...rather than our prayers, our giving, our good deeds being done solely for the glory of God! May the Lord help us return to living our lives for Him. It really is the most effective way to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.

Please share your thoughts.