Fifth Key
The Disciples Prayer (St Matthew 6:9-14)
From St Luke 11:1, the disciples came to Jesus asking him to teach them how to pray as John had taught his disciples how to pray:
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
For the scripture says: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26.
Then in St Matthew 6, Christ teaches them how to pray:
‘And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [6] But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. [7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” St Matthew 6:5-8.
From the passage it is evident that prayer is not a public show, but a secret communication between God and man. The Pharisees wanted the praise of men, therefore they did prayer and almsgiving and other works to be seen of men. Christ condemns this attitude. The motive in prayer is important: a communication to God, not an act of public display to get praise from men.
Also Christ tells his disciples where to go: ‘enter into thy secret closet, and when thou has shut thy door’ Again not only the motive is emphasized but also one has to do it in a secret place.
The hypocrites in the time of Christ on earth did as we see in this day: leave their secret place and go into a public place and then start to pray. Some prayed in street corners as others do now. Some go into a mountain and shout their prayers that man can hear them: Christ says they have their reward.
Another point is that when prayer is not taught, one is susceptible to vain repetitions: The scripture again says, Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:2-2.
There are various traditions that have been embedded in prayer by others. For example closing eyes and looking down in prayer and the rosary (a perfect example of vain repetitions). Where did these customs emerge from?
First let us consider the words of Christ, ‘but when thou prayest’ he details to the disciples how to pray but never mentions closing the eyes. One reason given for closing the eyes in prayer is ‘to avoid distractions’. But to avoid distractions Christ said ‘enter into thy secret closet’ There is no fear of distractions when we follow what Jesus said.
Again, nowhere in the scriptures do we find an instruction to close eyes.
Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven (John 17:1) He did not look down but looked up to God, to whom we pray. Prayer is a request and thanksgiving to God and it is unnatural to offer thanksgiving or present petitions to our earthly fathers with eyes closed.
In prayer, one surrenders to God, surrendering to His will and His divine providence therefore we raise our hands towards heaven as Paul taught us: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Tim 2:8.
The words of St Matthew 6:9-13 (The prayer that Christ taught the disciples to prayer) are sufficient for they proceeded out of the mouth of God.
How should one prepare himself for prayer? Forgive one another:
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. St Mark 11:25-26.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. St Matthew 5:23-26.
Lack of forgiveness hinders our prayers because ‘if if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses’ And forgiveness is one request we make in prayer: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. St Matthew 6:12
Jesus says: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. St Matthew 6:9-13.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.verse 14. Continue to:Sixth Key