“Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Prayer by Timothy Keller
- Tim Keller provides biblical instruction as well as specific prayers for a variety of situations including grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. With his distinctive insights, Keller discusses methods for how to make prayer more personal and effective, and how to develop a habit of prayer that works uniquely for you.
Kingdom Prayer by Tony Evans
- In Kingdom Prayer, Tony Evans gives a thorough overview of prayer and covers a wide range of topics including the principles of productive prayer, the power of praise, fasting, and how prayer relates to God’s purposes. Evans exposits various Scriptures and will encourage you to make prayer a dominant part of your life.
George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans by Janet & Geoff Benge
- This powerful biography illustrates the depth of George Muller’s trust in God evident in his constant prayer and dependence on God to provide for the needs of Bristol’s orphans. Concise and captivating, this story will inspire readers of all ages to trust God more deeply in their own journeys.
Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church by John Onwuchekwa
- John Onwuchekwa describes the role of corporate prayer in the church and calls on the local church to make prayer a habitual practice when they gather. Onwuchekwa stirs readers to the need and blessing of corporate prayer by discussing what Jesus taught about prayer, how early Christians addressed prayer, and how to prioritize prayer in our congregations.
Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennet
- In Valley of Vision, discover a rich and deeply theological compilation of gospel-centered Puritan prayers. The prayers in this book are steeped in Scripture and encompass the entire range of Christian experience, emotion, and devotion.
Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine Mckelvey
- Every Moment Holy brings thoughtful and meditative prayers for the everyday moments of life, such as “A Liturgy for Feasting with Friends” or “A Liturgy for Laundering”. These prayers are reminders that our lives are infused with sacred and holy purpose even when we are engaged with ordinary activities or when we are too busy to notice.
