Whenever You Pray

Monday, December 29, 2014
Matthew 6:1-8 KJV 

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 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. 6 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. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are Christians not to do when serving others or praying? Why? (v.1,5a)
2) How do hypocrites act when serving others or praying? Why? (v.2,5b)
3) How are true believers to act when serving others or praying? Why? (v.3-4,6-8)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What are your true motives for ministering to others or praying corporately?
5) What are the right motives for serving others or praying corporately?

LIFE LESSONS
6) The true motives of our hearts are revealed in who we seek to please when serving the Lord and/or His people.
7) When we seek the approval of man more than the approval of God our ministry for the Lord is in vain.
8) The Lord rewards those with clean hands and pure hearts in serving His people.