Read the passage several times through, slowly and prayerfully. It might help to use your imagination to picture the scene. At the end of the text you will find helpful background information in our ‘Setting the Scene’ section.

As you read, look out for shockers and blockers.

Shockers – a phrase, word, image or something from the text that resonates, stands out or connects with you.

Blockers – something from the text that raises questions for you.

Matthew 6.5–15

Jesus continued:

When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.

When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.

When you pray, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask.

You should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, help us to honour your name.

Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven.

Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil. If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Setting the Scene

This passage sits in the centre of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Gathering his disciples, Jesus addresses the issues that wreak the most havoc on society – anger, adultery, divorce, retaliation, lust. He then turns his attention to prayer, advocating simplicity, correct motivation and the centrality of the heart’s desire to be with God.
Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t pray in public – but that prayer should not be to impress others. Prayer should be between you and God.
The Lord’s Prayer is short and pithy – Jesus wants them to see they don’t need to try and be wordy or sound religious. We can speak with God about the ordinary things of life – food, sin, temptation. But the prayer, from the start, recognises who God is and our standing before him. The last two verses remind us the condition of our hearts is most important.
Jesus uses the Aramaic word ‘Abba’ – often the first word a child in the Middle East would learn. It is a term of great respect for a superior and of profound personal relationship.

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