Prayer

steve ellis
Feb 5
4 min read

Updated: May 8

Simplicity - Discipline for Disciples

Imagine standing in a crowded coffee shop. Around you, people are having conversations—some loud, some hushed. A few people are distracted by their phones, others are engaged in deep conversations.

Now, think about your own conversations with God.bAre they distracted or rushed? Do we approach prayer like a transaction, as if placing an order at a counter and waiting for a response? Is it an ongoing conversation with the Father?

Our series is Simplicity—Discipline for Disciples.bThe heart of this series is to rediscover the beauty of spiritual disciplines—practices that draw us closer to God and shape us into the image of Christ.

Our first focus is prayer—a foundational discipline that Jesus not only practiced but also taught His disciples. Prayer is one of the simplest yet most profound disciplines of discipleship. But it’s also one of the hardest for many of us. We struggle with focus, consistency, and sometimes even the belief that our prayers matter.

Jesus, however, taught a different way. A way of simplicity and depth that invites us into real communion with the Father.

Exploring The Passage

Matthew 6:5-15

"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. 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. “This, then, is how you should pray: "‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (NIV)

A Contrast:

As we reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, we see that He is calling His disciples to a radically different approach to prayer. Prayer that is simple, sincere, and rooted in a relationship with the Father. But why was this teaching so necessary?

To fully appreciate Jesus’ model of prayer, we need to contrast it with the common prayer practices of His time. Both Jewish and pagan traditions had shaped how people approached prayer, often turning it into either a public performance or a ritualistic formula.

Jesus, however, offers something different—a way of prayer that is both deeply personal and transformative.

Hypocritical Prayer (Matthew 6:5-6):

Jesus warns against praying to be seen by others. In first-century Judaism, public prayer was common, often performed in synagogues or on street corners. Jesus tells His followers to pray in secret, where the audience is only God. This doesn’t mean public prayer is wrong, but rather that the motive matters. Jesus makes a similar point in (Luke 18:9-14) when He contrasts the self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee with the humble prayer of the tax collector.

The Pharisee prays loudly, thanking God that he is not like others, while the tax collector simply pleads for mercy. Jesus affirms the prayer of the tax collector as the one justified before God.

Babbling Prayer (Matthew 6:7-8):

The Gentiles (pagans) believed that their gods responded to long, repetitive prayers. For example, in Greco-Roman temples, people would invoke multiple divine names and repeat them to compel a god’s response. Jewish prayers, typically recognized God as Father and One who delighted in meeting the needs of His people. They understood that God was aware of their needs. However, these prayers were often transactional and based on a business model rather than on a relationship of intimacy.(1)

Prayer isn’t about persuading God but about deepening our trust in Him. In (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus then provides what is often referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is not simply a formula to be recited but a framework that teaches the heart of discipleship in prayer:

Our Father in heaven: Prayer begins with relationship. We approach God as Father, with reverence and trust.

Hallowed be Your name: Hallowed, a word we don’t use often, is derived from the Greek hagiazō, which means "to set apart as sacred." At times, this word is translated “sanctify” as in:

John 17:17

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (NIV)

Prayer aligns us with God's holiness and His kingdom purposes.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done: A disciple prays for God’s reign, submitting personal desires to His divine purposes.

Give us today our daily bread: We depend on God for provision, recognizing Him as our sustainer.

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive others: Prayer is about reconciliation—both with God and with others.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: We seek God’s guidance and protection, acknowledging our need for His strength.

The Call to Forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15)

Jesus concludes by emphasizing forgiveness. As disciples who pray the characteristics of grace and forgiveness must also shape our thoughts and words.

Cultivating Prayer

How do we cultivate a prayer life that aligns our lives with Jesus? Find a Quiet Place – Set aside undistracted time for prayer. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16). Make it a daily habit.

Pray with Purpose

Use the Lord’s Prayer as a framework. Focus on relationship, God’s will, dependence, forgiveness, and guidance.

Pray with Trust, Not Performance

Prayer isn’t about saying the right words or having the “right formula,” but about coming sincerely before the Father.

CROSSING THE CONTEXT

The discipline of prayer is not about impressing others or manipulating God. Prayer is aligning our hearts with Him. When we embrace the simplicity of prayer as Jesus taught, we step into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Prayer is not about being seen or saying the right words; it is about being with the Father.

Footnotes:

1. Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary. 2nd ed., InterVarsity Press, p. 60.