Matthew 6: 5:15

5: 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.

What reward do they have? Matthew 23: 1-11, John 12: 42-43

Recognition of men!

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.

Is this a literal closet? What does it mean? Remember when Jesus went up to the mountain to pray alone? Look at the times that Jesus got alone to pray!

Matthew 14:23, 26:36-46, Mark 1:35, 6:46, 14:32-42, Luke 5:16, 6:12, 9:18&28, 11:1, 22:39-46

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.

What are vain repetitions? Things like the Jabez prayer are examples of vain repetitions. Jesus never instructed us to repeat the same things over and over but rather to speak from the heart.

8: Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

He already knows, so this shows the desire for communication and relationship

9: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

"After this manner" is a guide not to be repeated verbatim

"Hallowed be thy name" Reverence the Lord's Name - Jews would not even speak it for fear of mis-pronouncing it. Psalm 100:4 says to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Praise and honor to His name in prayer.

10: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

What is the will of God on earth? That all men should be saved!

Matthew 18:11, Luke 19:10

11: Give us this day our daily bread.

Our walk is a daily walk; therefore, our relationship with Him is developed on a daily basis with our dependence upon Him to meet our every need spiritually. We also know that He will always provide for our physical needs. In the spiritual sense though, He wants you to develop a daily need for His counsel, direction, and wisdom in all spiritual matters.

12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Jesus made it clear in vs. 14-15 and in Matthew 5:22-26 that we must forgive to be forgiven

13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

As Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted, God may allow seasons of temptations for you. That is where we pray for God's strength to deliver us from that evil. It is a daily battle with temptations therefore it is important to pray for that strength daily. As Paul said, "I die daily" we also need to die to the fleshly desires.

14: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Importance of forgiveness - Matthew 18: 21-22 & Colossians 3:13