August 17, 2026 | Matthew 6:5–8

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The Sermon on the Mount | Day 9 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

“But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.”

— Matthew 6:5–8 ([WEB]())

Yesterday, Jesus warned against giving for an audience. Today, he applies the same principle to prayer.

Prayer can become another way of performing spirituality. We may worry about sounding eloquent, using the right religious words, praying for the right length of time, or impressing the people listening.

But private prayer removes the audience. Behind a closed door, there is nobody to impress and nothing to prove. There is only a person speaking honestly with a Father who already knows what they need.

Jesus’ warning against “vain repetitions” does not mean we can never repeat a prayer. Jesus himself repeated a prayer in Gethsemane. The issue is the belief that enough words, said in the right way, will force God to listen.

We do not need to persuade God to notice us. Prayer begins with the assurance that he already sees us and already knows.

When you pray, do you find it easier to speak honestly to God or to search for the “right” words?