Jesus teaching in fasting and prayer (Matt 6:5-13;17) - JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

God’s rule in our hearts requires that we observe religious duties like ‘fasting’ and ‘prayer’ properly. We should not fast or pray in the open for people to see us as deeply religious people, for that is hypocrisy. When we are fasting, we should not look miserable for hypocrisy. When fasting we should appear simple. Therefore Jesus said:

“When you fast anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Jesus also said that when praying, we should not behave like the hypocrites who pray openly at street corners just for people to see that they are praying. We should pray quietly in our rooms with windows and doors shut. This is to avoid distraction; so that we can concentrate fully on what we are praying for:

“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.”

Jesus said our prayers should be short. This means that we should not pray for long. When we pray for long, we keep repeating ourselves. God already knows that we want, before we pray to Him. Therefore, we should be brief in our prayers:

“In praying do not heap empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Jesus then gave “The Lord’s prayer” as an example of a true prayer which we can use when praying to God. we should begin our prayer by praising God’s name: “Hallowed be thy name”

Next to show a sincere concern for God’s purpose in the world, which is to rule our hearts so that we can do ‘His will’ on earth as it is in heaven:

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

After this, we ask for our daily needs including the food that we eat: “Give us this day our daily bread”

After our personal needs, we ask for forgiveness of our sins because we have been forgiving those who offend us:

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Finally, we should pray for power over sin so that we can overcome the temptation to sin:

 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”