Matthew 6:9-13 - Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'

In this passage from Matthew 6, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. He tells them not to pray like the hypocrites who pray loudly to be seen by others, but to pray privately and sincerely to God as their Father in heaven. Jesus then provides what is known as the Lord's Prayer as a model for how they should pray. In the prayer, Jesus instructs us to acknowledge God's holiness, pray for his kingdom and will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, pray for our daily needs like food and forgiveness, and pray for protection from temptation and deliverance from evil.

When Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, he is convicting them of a tendency we all struggle with - the desire to be seen and praised by others rather than focusing our prayers solely on God. It's so easy to fall into the trap of praying for show rather than praying from a sincere heart. Jesus calls us to a higher standard of genuine, private prayer between ourselves and our Father in heaven. The beautiful prayer that Jesus provides, often called the Lord's Prayer, is the perfect model of how to pray - with reverence, submission to God's will, dependence on him for our needs, and request for his protection. When we pray this prayer, we align our hearts and minds with God's priorities. I'm reminded that prayer should not be about getting what I want from God, but seeking first his kingdom, glory and will.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of prayer and for teaching us how to pray through your Son Jesus. Forgive me for the times I have prayed to be seen or heard by others rather than coming to you privately with a sincere heart. Help me to pattern my prayers after the Lord's Prayer, focusing on your holiness, kingdom and will. May my prayers reflect a spirit of dependence on you for my daily needs and protection from evil. I pray that you would transform my heart to always seek you first in all things. In Jesus' name, amen.