Good Works that Glorify God (Matthew 6:5-18)

Matthew 6:1-4 was actually the first of three examples where Jesus talked not about things we should NOT do but about things we SHOULD do—things which should shine like lights so that those around us will glorify God (Matthew 5:14-16). Their purpose is not to glorify us!  So last time we looked at giving to those in need.  We said we should do this BUT be careful that we do NOT do it to draw attention to ourselves BUT to draw attention to God.  So the kind of giving that God likes is the kind that meets a real need AND draws attention to God.  For example, giving a cup of water in Jesus name.
Now, we will look at two more examples of things we should do that should draw attention to God –not to us.

Prayer that Glorifies God

Matthew 6:5-15 is about prayer.  There are prayers that God does NOT like!  Jesus calls people who draw attention to themselves when they pray “hypocrites” or another translation is “pretenders.”  We might call them “posers.”  The Pharisees would make a show of their prayers made in public places.  They did them so that people would see them and think highly of them.  They recited passages of scripture and reviewed their theology.  They “thanked God” for how blessed they were compared to others. Jesus condemned “show off” prayers because their purpose had nothing to do with God and everything to do with the person doing the praying.  Jesus said, “They have their reward!” (Don’t expect a commendation from God!)

Because saying prayers in public was such a culturally acceptable way to get public acclaim Jesus told them to just pray by yourself because God could still hear and would answer them.  If you like to “pray Scripture” and remind God of His promises and make lengthy prayers, that is the perfect place to do it. This does not at all mean that group prayer is wrong but remember that Jesus is trying to help us make God-focused and God-honoring prayers. When we are by ourselves before God we are usually more real. When we pray in a group setting, we need to be sensitive to glorify God and not draw attention to ourselves.  We should not use group prayer to preach to others although we might want to speak for the group in pleading on their behalf.  (Just like our giving practices should also focus on God and glorifying Him).

Another way that prayers become unacceptable to God is when we use “vain repetition.”  Jesus said this is something that the heathen did.  Our prayers should be brief rather than lengthy.  We do not need to give God all the details of the situation.  We do not need to impress God (or anyone who may be listening) with our spirituality. 

In summary, we are to avoid showy, repetitious, and lengthy prayers that tend to draw attention to our prowess in prayer rather than meekly coming to God and praying for what we need.  Just as giving has a human purpose—meeting needs—so does prayer.

Jesus’ Model Prayer

Jesus gives a model prayer sometimes called the “Lord’s Prayer.”  But notice that Jesus would not pray this prayer Himself.  He had no need to ask for forgiveness!

The parts of the ‘Model Prayer’ are as follows:

1)      We pray to the Father who is in heaven recognizing that we do not use His name in vain because it is holy.  (Do we tend to repeat His name over and over as we pray as if to remind Him that we are talking to him?  Can this tend to be vain repetition?)

2)      Our primary purpose in prayer is to pray according to God’s will which as far as we are concerned involves the coming of His kingdom to earth and His will be being done on earth as it already is done in heaven.  This involves wisdom and understanding about what God would like to accomplish through me and others and faith to understand that He will empower me to do what He wants me to do.  Prayer is about kingdom purposes and a desire to see God’s will done on earth just like it is done in heaven.

3)      We also pray about our sustenance here called “daily bread.”  He promises to supply this.

4)      And we pray for God’s mercy where we have failed.  Notice the connection with showing mercy to others.  If we come to God in prayer asking Him to forgive us, but we have refused to forgive others, we are a hypocrite.  We might need to pray for wisdom and strength to go to that other person who needs to experience some mercy from us before we can expect God to hear us any further.  Notice Jesus’ further comments in vv. 14-15.

5)      Finally, we can ask God for deliverance from the evil one.  Elsewhere in Scripture we are told to resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Notice we flee temptation but resist the devil and pray for deliverance.

6)      This happens to fit the little mnemonic A-C-T-S (Adoration-Confession-Supplication-Thanksgiving).

Fasting That Glorifies God

Now in vv. 16-18 Jesus does this same kind of teaching about fasting except His model fast was already done before His temptation!  (That was a situation requiring spiritual preparation through fasting.) 

Notice that for each of three good works mentioned here, Jesus does not quote an Old Testament Law but rather begins with, “When you _________” (give, pray, or fast).  So, Jesus is assuming that each of these good works will be done at some time and when we do them we should be careful that they glorify God – not ourselves.

How should we glorify God in fasting?  Once again, Jesus points out the wrong way that “posers” do.  They let everyone know they are on a fast.  They draw attention to their personal sacrifice.  They tell people what they are “giving up.”  This does not glorify God.  So, by contrast, Jesus said to don’t draw attention to yourself.  It’s better to just act normally and give the glory to God—not yourself. 

This particular good work also meets a human need.  It is not merely a ritual.  Giving is for the needs of others, praying is for the needs of myself and others (v. 8), fasting is also to meet my need for undistracted communion with and focus on God.  It is intensely personal, although, like prayer, it is possible for a group of people to commit to it together having God and His glory as the focus. 

Note: The church at Antioch fasted and prayed together before sending out missionaries (Acts 13:1-3).  If you or your spiritual acquaintances experience especially difficult opposition or a decision requiring special spiritual insight, you may wish to consider organizing a period of fasting and prayer—either by yourself or as a group—in a way that does not draw attention to you but glorifies God who sees in secret.

© 2018 Eric Thimell