“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

Matthew 5:21-48 was about what people believed. Matthew 6:1-18 is about what people do as a result of those beliefs. Jesus gives 3 examples of how someone’s faith could be expressed and how seeking the approval of others can block a life of consistent interaction with Him, leading to a life marked by hypocrisy. 3 acts very important to Jews were giving, praying and fasting; being generous to those in need, talking to God and being so focused on Him that you do without your food at the time you usually would eat it. In Matthew 6:5, Jesus deals with both the public and private aspects of prayer. God wants us to pray to Him, not pray to be recognized as super- spiritual. Publicly: Don’t make a scene. Privately: Express your faith in Christ and seek God's attention.