Matthew 6:5-6:18

Righteousness at Heart - "Genuine Prayer and Fasting" Part 2A

This teaching from Matthew's gospel now turns to a proper approach to God through prayer. Jesus begins with a warning of what not to do and continues with a model prayer, what we call the Lord's prayer. Jesus also teaches about fasting. Join Pastor Lloyd for this deep-dive into prayer and fasting.

  1. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  2. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
  3. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
  4. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
  5. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  6. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  7. Give us this day our daily bread.
  8. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  9. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  10. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  11. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  12. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  13. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
  14. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.