“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.” Matthew 6:5

Jesus’ words on prayer in Matthew 6:5-8 are a study in contrasts. Jesus, in 6:5-8, instructs His followers – He shows them and any who will listen, any who will buy in to His program, the purpose and nature of prayer that pleases God. He is showing the way. Here is how you can come to God in prayer. This is a preface to the Disciple’s prayer where Jesus shows us what to pray. Here He shows us how. For thinkers, questions arise: what kind of prayer pleases God? How can I pray that way? The answer is found in Jesus' words, where He says what His people are to do in contrast with the religious hypocrites and irreligious people who either pretend to or attempt to approach God. Basically, be real.