Principles of Prayer

Northwest Bible Church – March 15, 2026 – Matthew – Alan Conner

Matthew. 6:5-8

Principles of Prayer

Intro

 A. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER TO JESUS.

1. In His own personal life He was committed to prayer:

2. Jesus also emphasized prayer in His teaching.   

B. THE FAULTY PRAYERS OF HYPOCRITES (Matthew 6:5).

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites” – 

1. Wrong motive: they love to stand when they pray.   

2. Wrong location: synagogues and street corners.     

3. Wrong audience:  to be seen by men.    

4. Paid in full.  

C. THE RIGHT WAY TO PRAY (Matthew 6:6).

1.  Go into your inner room, close the door.    

2. Pray in secret.     

3. Your Father will reward you.    

D. THE FAULTY PRAYERS OF GENTILES (Matthew 6:7-8).

1. Do not use “meaningless repetition” (Matthew 6:7a).  

a. speak without thinking, rote repetition of formulas of prayer.   

b. to babble, to stammer.   Grk = “battalogeō”.  

2. Wrong assumption: they will be heard for their many words (Matthew 6:7b).   

3. Correction: your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (Matthew 6:8).   

Conclusion