There is a right and wrong way to pray. Here are a couple of wrong ways.

We should not pray to be seen of men (ver. 5)

This is not a denouncement of public prayer. Jesus and His disciples often prayed publicly (John 11:41, 42; Acts 12:5; 27: 37). What Jesus is denouncing is praying to be seen of men. That is what God abhors. Prayer must proceed from a proper heart. John once said, “…if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 Jn. 5:14). To ask something according to the will of God involves, not only what we ask for, but also how we ask for it. When one prays just to convince others of his spirituality, he is not praying according to God’s will.

Prayer is not a time to show-off or to demonstrate how many scriptures we can quote. The danger to pray to be seen of men is especially present when we pray publicly. The temptation to pray for prestige and to impress men is present whenever we do so. So, a special effort must be set forth to get our minds completely off man and totally on God when we pray. When you are called upon to pray publicly, do not worry about how you sound or what man thinks. Instead, focus your mind on God, for He is the One to Whom you are praying.

We should pray without vain repetition (ver. 7)

Praying to be seen of men is a misuse of the purpose of prayer because it gives glory to self instead of God. However, praying, whether it be publicly or privately, with vain repetition is a misuse of the nature of prayer because it is a mere recitation of words instead of an honest approach to God’s throne. So then, we are not only to avoid hypocrisy in our prayers, but also the use of meaningless, mechanical phrases as well.

Some need to realize that when it comes to public prayers, the quality of the prayer is not determined by the length. Jesus said that the heathen thought that they would be heard because of their many words. I am afraid that some brethren feel the same way. The fact is, however, that some of the best prayers are brief and to the point. With eight words Jesus prayed to God at the close of His earthly life, saying, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Let’s also remember that “vain repetition” is not referring to repeating oneself in prayer. In fact, repeating prayers is sometimes helpful, and even required. In Psalms 119 David used the words “teach me Thy statues” no less than 7 times. Paul thrice besought the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8). Yes, we should be persistent with our requests to God (Luke 11:5-10). Remember, it is not repetition that Jesus does not like, but vain repetition, which includes words that we speak out of habit instead of from the heart.

So, when Jesus says do not pray to be seen of men, He is condemning prayers of hypocrisy where one is only praying to impress others. God does not hear such prayers because those prayers were never meant for His ears, and Jesus says those who pray accordingly have no reward from the Father!

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.