{"id":10016,"date":"2026-09-21T21:16:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T19:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/predication.net\/?p=10016"},"modified":"2026-09-21T21:16:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T19:16:49","slug":"we-should-also-show-outwardly-that-we-are-praying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/predication.net\/?p=10016","title":{"rendered":"We should also show outwardly that we are praying"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

1. Prayer Begins in the Secret Place<\/h2>\n

Jesus said:<\/h2>\n
\n

\u201cBut thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…\u201d
\n\u2014 Matthew 6:6<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The foundation of prayer is not public recognition. It is a private relationship with God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before we pray publicly, we should learn to pray privately.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before others hear our prayers, God should hear our hearts.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The secret place is where our relationship with God becomes strong. It is where we cry, seek, confess, listen, worship, and receive strength.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nobody may see us praying in our room.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nobody may know how many tears we have shed before God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nobody may know how many times we have called upon His name.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

But God sees.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The secret place produces the strength that becomes visible in the public place.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

2. We Should Not Be Ashamed to Pray<\/h2>\n

Occasionally, we should openly show that prayer matters to us.<\/h2>\n

When food is placed before us, we can bow our heads and thank God.<\/h2>\n

When someone tells us about a problem, we can say, \u201cLet me pray for you,\u201d and then actually pray.<\/h2>\n

When our family is facing difficulty, we can gather together and pray.<\/h2>\n

When we receive a blessing, we can publicly thank God.<\/h2>\n

When we face a crisis, we can call upon the Lord rather than pretending we have everything under control.<\/h2>\n

Prayer should not be something we hide because we are afraid of what people might think.<\/h2>\n

Jesus said:<\/h2>\n
\n

\u201cWhosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.\u201d
\n\u2014 Matthew 10:32<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Our faith is personal, but it was never intended to be invisible.<\/h2>\n

There should be moments when people can look at our lives and say:<\/h2>\n

\u201cThat person believes in God. That person trusts God. That person prays.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

3. Our Outward Actions Should Match Our Inward Faith<\/h2>\n

James teaches us that faith is demonstrated by our actions.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the same way, prayer should not merely be something we say with our lips. It should affect how we live.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If I pray for patience, I should allow God to work patience into my behavior.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If I pray for forgiveness, I should be willing to forgive.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If I pray for wisdom, I should be willing to listen to God’s Word and make wise decisions.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If I pray for someone’s salvation, I should also be willing to show that person the love of Christ.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If I pray for the poor, I should be willing to help those in need.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prayer should move from our knees into our daily lives.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The world does not only need to hear that we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The world should see the fruit of the prayers we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

4. There Is a Difference Between Witnessing and Showing Off<\/h2>\n

This is where Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 becomes especially important.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus condemned the religious leaders who prayed in public \u201cthat they may be seen of men.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The problem was not that they were praying publicly.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The problem was their motive.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We must examine our hearts.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Am I praying because I want God to hear me?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Or am I praying because I want people to notice me?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Am I lifting my hands because I am worshiping God?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Or because I want people to think I am spiritual?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Am I telling people that I am praying for them because I genuinely care?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Or because I want to appear religious?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There is a big difference between being seen while praying and praying to be seen.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One can express genuine faith.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The other can lead to pride.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our goal should never be to impress people with our prayer.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our goal should be to glorify God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

5. Let People See That We Depend on God<\/h2>\n

One of the strongest outward testimonies we can give is to demonstrate that we depend upon God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The world teaches people to depend upon money, power, connections, intelligence, and human strength.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

But the believer says:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cMy help comes from the Lord.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When trouble comes, we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we don’t know what to do, we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we have received a blessing, we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we are afraid, we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we are thankful, we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we are weak, we pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prayer demonstrates that we recognize our dependence upon God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Bible says:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n

\u201cTrust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Proverbs 3:5<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A praying Christian is saying through his or her actions:<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot do this by myself. I need God.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

And there is no shame in admitting that.<\/h2>\n

6. We Should Teach the Next Generation to Pray<\/h2>\n

Our children and young people are watching us.<\/h2>\n

They learn not only from what we tell them, but from what they see us doing.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If children see their parents praying when there is a problem, they learn where to turn when problems come.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If they see their parents thanking God, they learn gratitude.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If they see their parents praying for others, they learn compassion.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If they see their parents seeking God before making important decisions, they learn dependence upon God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We should therefore create an atmosphere where prayer is normal.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let our children hear us pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let our families pray together.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let them see that Christianity is not merely something we do at church on Sunday.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prayer is a way of life.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

7. Let Our Lives Become a Living Testimony<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The greatest outward evidence of prayer is not necessarily the volume of our voice or the position of our body.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is the transformation that prayer produces.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Can people see more love in us?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More patience?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More forgiveness?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More humility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More compassion?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More self-control?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More faith?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More peace?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

More dependence upon God?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we spend time with God, something should change in us.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Moses went into the presence of God, and when he came down from the mountain, his face reflected that encounter.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our time with God should also leave an impression upon our lives.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

People may not know how long we prayed.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

They may never know what we said in our secret place.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

But they should be able to see something different in the way we live.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Church, let us become people who pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray in our homes.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray with our families.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray for one another.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray for our communities.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray for those who are hurting.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray when we are joyful.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray when we are broken.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray when we understand.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us pray when we don’t understand.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

But let our prayer never become a performance.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus calls us to sincerity.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Pray privately, but do not be ashamed of prayer publicly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seek God in secret, and let the fruit of that relationship be visible in your life.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We do not pray so that people will think we are holy.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We pray because God is holy.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We do not pray to impress people.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We pray because we need God.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We do not pray to receive applause.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We pray because God deserves our worship and our trust.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So let the church be known as a praying people.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let our families be praying families.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let our homes be houses of prayer.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

And let the world see, not merely that we talk about prayer, but that we truly live a life of prayer.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Heavenly Father,<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Teach us to become people of prayer.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Help us to seek You not for the attention of people, but because we love You and depend upon You.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Give us courage to pray openly when the opportunity comes, but give us humility so that our prayers never become a performance.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let our private prayer life produce public fruit.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let people see Your love in us, Your peace in us, Your patience in us, and Your grace working through us.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Teach our families and our children to pray.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Make our homes places where Your name is honored.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Help us remember that our strength does not come from ourselves, but from You.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

May our lives become a testimony that points people toward Christ.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Prayer Begins in the Secret Place Jesus said: \u201cBut thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…\u201d \u2014 Matthew 6:6 The foundation of prayer … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nezaradene"],"yoast_head":"\nWe should also show outwardly that we are praying - predication.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/predication.net\/?p=10016\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"We should also show outwardly that we are praying - predication.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"1. 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