A right intention. Prayer, fasting and alms-deeds are good works, as the angel Raphael told Tobias (Old Test. LXIX). But good works are neither meritorious nor pleasing to God, if our intention in doing them is not good, and not directed to the glory of God. If we seek our own glory when practising good works, we are serving our own self-love and pride, and not God, and therefore we must not expect any reward from Him.
The public worship of God. Our Lord’s admonition: “When thou prayest, go to thy chamber &c.”, must not be misunderstood. He does not intend to blame the public worship of God in churches, for He Himself went to the Temple, as also did His apostles. The public worship of God in common is necessary and pleasing to Him, but we must frequent it not to seek our own glory, but that of God. But our private devotions ought, if possible, to be made in secret, so that they may not be spoilt and made worthless in the sight of God by a desire for human praise.
Application. Do you learn your lessons well only in order to win praise? Do you say your prayers in order that you may be thought good? You would be far richer than you are in merits before God, if you always had a right intention in your practice of good works.
5. How we are to pray.
“And when you are praying, speak not much as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking[1] they may be heard. Be not you, therefore, like to them, for your Father knoweth [2] what is needful for you, before you ask Him. Thus therefore shall you pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth[3] as it is in heaven. Give us this day our supersubstantial [4] bread. And forgive us our
- ↑ Much speaking. The heathen believed that they would be the more surely heard, the more words they used and the louder they cried out (see Old Test. LXIII in the story of the sacrifice of Elias). The Pharisees also believed that the longer and more full of words they made their prayers, the better they were (Mat. 23, 14).
- ↑ Your Father knowth. It is not therefore necessary to tell Him all the details of your wants.
- ↑ On earth, i. e. by men on earth as it is done by the angels in heaven.
- ↑ Supersubstantial. i. e. heavenly and spiritual food; but it may also mean the same as daily or necessary food.
