And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. vs5-6

Our Father wants to hear us and reward us in prayer. He’s reconciled us through the blood of His Son, and if He’s done all of that, then He’ll surely give us every good thing.

I knew a pastor who gave his only daughter to a man for marriage. Before the wedding, he invited the young man over. He took his keys and unlocked the safe. He gave him the codes and passwords for private accounts, and then he was somewhat astonished, when the man said, “Sir. This is too much. I don’t know why you’d give me all of this.”

The old pastor responded, “Son, I’ve given you MY DAUGHTER, and if I give you that, then it is the best that I have. Of course I’ll give you everything else.”

This is God’s mind toward us: He’s given us the Son! He predestined us to be His children and called us to Himself. Now, will He withhold any good thing? Impossible.

“He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [Rom 8:32]

Everything that it takes to fulfill His predetermined purpose of heaven for us, and everything that we need to serve God will be given.

Secondly, prayer involves the will of God as our highest priority. vs9-10

So then, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Many twist His generosity to mean that carnal things are ours, as if I can pray for a bigger house, prettier wife, and no sickness... and hold Him bound. He has not promised these things, nor are they necessary to life and godliness, but everything it takes for God to be glorified WILL BE GIVEN. Have absolute assurance here [1 John 5:14-15].

When I found out staying in Nigeria would be expensive because of new visa regulations, I was crushed. I thought that I might have to go home and wept before the throne. Yet, He showed me that it didn’t matter if I left Nigeria or spent my life in prison: God was still going to save the elect, and since my will is His will, I rejoiced.

Brothers, if you’re not happy unless your will is done, then you won’t be happy. If God’s will, however, which is the salvation of the elect and our personal holiness, is your big ambition, then you’ll be happy no matter what happens, and God will give you grace sufficient [1 Thess 4:3].

Thirdly, prayer involves forgiveness! vs11-15

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors. vs12

We must forgive others. We can’t deal with God by His grace, then be mean to others. We can’t look up in faith without walking in love. We must treat people how He treats us, which is through the prism of Christ, looking unto Him and going to do likewise.

Forgive that person, or ask God’s grace to forgive them! This is what sustains marriages and churches. This is what makes friendships last and enables us to keep walking as brothers.