The Power of a Humble Prayer

 “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. 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 6:5-6)

There’s a difference between praying for show and praying for real.

When someone prays for show, he is essentially holding a big glowing billboard, saying, “Look at me! Look at how holy I am.” God sees right through that. He knows that the person isn’t trying to talk to the Holy of Holies with pure intentions. Rather, he is being fake, serving his own self-interests. It has little, if anything, to do with God.

Jesus tells us that the person in that example has earned his reward. He has the people’s respect, he got what he came for, and, when all is said and done, he didn’t really care whether or not that prayer was pleasing to God.

This is not the type of prayer that Jesus encourages his followers to pray.

What Jesus is searching for is the humble prayer, whispered in the privacy of the person’s home. He’s looking for the prayers of those who are willing to depend on God, who are willing to put away their own self-interests in search of something bigger, stronger, and more valuable than the admiration of men.

He’s looking for the prayers that are real and honest and authentic.

Through those prayers, He can change the lives of His followers and then change the lives of the entire world. However, if the prayers are fake and superficial, the only change that will show itself will be the withered, rotten fruit that comes from dead religion.

Jesus has said that when you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22) How amazing is that?!

Today, find a private place, get down on your knees, and pray to the Lord who created the Universe. Your prayer doesn’t have to be fancy or long. It just has to be sincere. Show that you are humble enough to depend on God, and open yourself up to being changed by who He is. You will be amazed at the results.