A short study on Matthew 6:5-6

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Hello folks. This is a short study on Matthew 6:5-6, from the sermon that Jesus gave to his disciples. Prayer is not a performance, it is a sacred action between you and God.

Date​	April 28, 2024​
Verse​	Matthew 6:5-6: "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."​
Explanation​	Matthew 6:5-6 is a passage from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer and the attitude with which they should approach God. The verse warns against hypocritical prayer, which is praying for the sake of being seen by others rather than for a genuine connection with God. Instead, Jesus encourages his followers to pray in private, where their relationship with God can be nurtured and strengthened without the need for external validation. ​ The Bible does indeed teach us to spread the faith and share the good news of God's love with others. However, this passage is not about sharing our faith but rather about how we pray and approach God. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of having a heartfelt connection with God, free from the desire for recognition or approval from others.
Societal Relevance​	In modern society, this verse is relevant as it reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God and to avoid using prayer as a means of seeking validation or attention from others. With the constant distractions and pressures of modern life such as work, TV and electronics, it can be easy to forget the true purpose of prayer and to instead use it as a performance for an audience. By focusing on our personal relationship with God and setting aside time for private prayer, we can deepen our faith and draw closer to Him. Ultimately, this will enable us to be more effective in sharing the love of God with others from a place of genuine compassion and authenticity rather than seeking attention or recognition for ourselves.