And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8

We begin with a reminder of where we are in our thoughts on The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is telling His disciples about living in the Kingdom of God. He is talking more specifically about the role of the Law in the lives of His disciples. His emphasis is on the spirit of the Law, which has higher standards than does the letter of the Law. He contrasted the spirit and the letter in Matthew 5 considering several specific laws. Now in chapter 6, Jesus contrasts the spirit and the letter in three activities: (1) Charitable acts; (2) Prayer; (3) Fasting. Today we begin focusing on His words about prayer.

First, as was the case when He spoke about charitable acts, Jesus begins with the word, when, rather than the word, if. Why? Because it is expected that citizens of God’s kingdom pray. It is a given. Is prayer a given in your life? I do not ask if you are mighty in prayer. Many believers struggle with prayer: e.g., consistency, knowing how, and what to pray for. That we struggle testifies that though prayer is sometimes difficult, we do at least attempt to pray. The best treatment of the subject of how essential is prayer is by J.C. Ryle. It is called “A Call to Prayer.” Here is a link to this gracious and penetrating meditation on prayer. Click Here to read it. You can also print it if you’d like. It is only 9 pages long. I highly recommend it!

I’ll cut this post short in hopes that you will read it this weekend! I’ll forego a post on Monday except to give you a little more time to read Ryle.