1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 “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. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-6; ESV)
Father may all of my religious actions be for your glory and not for my own. In my outward duties of religion let me not neglect inward devotion to you. Rather than portraying an image of spirituality, may I walk by faith and walk in the Spirit so that I would actually be godly and not just portray an image publicly. May I remember to give to those in need and do so secretly because it will be for your glory and now my own. Bring a person to my mind who needs a word of encouragement or an act of generosity, and use me to do your work secretly for your glory. I pray because I want to know you Jesus, not for a show, but because I need you to do your work in my life and lead me in your ways. Reward me in accordance with your word and strengthen my knowledge of you and my faith in you. Amen.
Shore Community Church 