Greatest Thing Ever Said- Week 5- Sermon Notes
February 3, 2023

**Matthew 6: 5-14 NIV 
5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

1. And when you pray, not if you pray.

And when you pray, you don’t have to pretend.
5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

If you are pretending to be something you are not and who you really are is hidden and God doesn’t see you or hear you.

You are pretending for the respect of men, you are religious because you want people to think well of you, to see you as someone who loves God and is good - and people will and that is all you will receive.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

2. And when you pray, you don’t have to pretend.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

3. When you pray, you are talking to your Father.

This is not about how long you pray or what you say.
This is a relationship to have with Father who knows what you need before you ask.

So, why ask, you say?

I think it is because it is important that you know what you need when you ask.

4. When you pray, this is how.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

And when you pray, not if you pray.
And when you pray, you don’t have to pretend.
And when you pray, you are talking to your Father
And when you pray, this is how.