“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:5-6

Here Jesus focuses on the nature of prayer. He contrasts His instructions with a common error, this time it is the prayer of unbelievers He points out. Where religious hypocrites know better, unbelievers are ignorant. Jesus says Matthew 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetitions". Don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do, "for they suppose they will be heard for their many words". Like the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18 who cried out all day long "O Baal, answer us" and nothing happened. "There was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention" (1 Kings 18:29). They thought that their many words would have an effect on a false god; they didn't. But what about us using many words with God? What do you think? More on this tomorrow.