Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way teaches that Jesus contrasts hypocritical religion with true Kingdom righteousness. He exposes wrong motives and calls believers to practice giving, prayer, and fasting in obedience, not for public praise. The focus is inward rather than outward. God rewards what is done in secret. True devotion flows from a heart that seeks the Father, not applause, and lives for His Kingdom and will.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Audio
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Scriptures used in this lesson:
Matthew 6:1-18, Matthew 6:8, John 8:44, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 5:16, Philippians 2:12-13, Matthew 6:3, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, Luke 17:20-21, Matthew 6:7-8, Matthew 6:9-15, John 14:6, 1 John 3:10, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 3:12, Matthew 18:21-22,
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Introduction: Teaching Versus Practice
We had trouble with last week’s recording, so I am covering some of it again. In chapter 5, Jesus contrasts the teachings of the religious systems with the truth of the Kingdom of Heaven. In chapter 6:1-18, He contrasts the life of the hypocrite with the life of someone living in the Kingdom. Chapter 5 focuses on contrast in teaching, while Chapter 6 examines contrast in practice.
What the religious systems teach is bad, but who they are is worse. Jesus repeatedly calls them hypocrites. In Chapter 5, the Father is mentioned only three times, whereas in Chapter 6, He is mentioned 12 times. This shows both the closeness we can have with the Father and the reverence He requires. Jesus teaches about proper giving, beginning with money and extending to prayer and fasting, including the giving of time, energy, and devotion.
In chapter 5, Jesus says, “This is what they say, but I say.” In chapter 6, He says, “This is what they do, but here is what you do.” The heart of the lesson is found in verse 8.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Matthew 6:8
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Jesus tells us not to be like them. He does not want His people to resemble the religious system of the day. Verses 1-18 focus on practicing the righteousness of the Kingdom by contrasting what religious people do with what Jesus teaches.
Matthew 6:1
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
In verse 1, different translations render the term “alms” as righteousness, acts of righteousness, religious duties, good deeds, or ostensible piety. Limiting it to money is too narrow. Jesus goes beyond money to prayer and fasting, and even further to time and energy. Seeing this as good deeds or righteous acts best reflects what Jesus is teaching about how we live out true righteousness.
The NIS Bible warns against practicing righteousness before men, and Jesus is about to teach us how to do what we do correctly. The term alms often limits our thinking to monetary giving, but Jesus is not teaching only about financial giving. He begins with money in verses 2-4, then moves to prayer in verses 5-16, and to fasting in verses 16-18.
Giving in the Kingdom includes more than money. It involves prayer, fasting, time, and energy. What we usually think of as giving is too narrow. Jesus shows us that giving is expressed in how we pray, fast, invest our time, expend our energy, and manage our money.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Jesus then warns us not to practice our giving before men to be seen by them. If we do, there is no reward from our Father in heaven. This contrasts with Matthew 5:16, where we are told to let our light shine so that people may see our good works and glorify the Father. In chapter 5, the emphasis is on visible light that points to God, whereas in chapter 6 the focus shifts to performing righteous acts in secret.
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The difference lies in the motive. In Matthew 5:16, the motive is to glorify God. In chapter 6, everything the Pharisees do is meant to glorify themselves. They want to be seen by men, and if you remove their audience, they will not perform. This reveals what a hypocrite truly is, a play actor putting on a show.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Jesus is teaching that there is a right way and a wrong way to do what we do. He does not want us to examine others. He wants us to turn inward and examine ourselves. The purpose of this session is to see if there is any hypocrisy in us and, if there is, to deal with it honestly.
Hypocrisy and the Praise of Men
The hypocrite desires the praise of men. They want to be seen as a wonderful religious person. Their actions are a performance. Their reward is the approval of people, and that is all they receive, and their inward motive was never to please or glorify God. It was always to be seen by men, and Jesus says they have already received their reward.
As we move through this section, Jesus follows the same pattern every time. Whether it is giving money, praying, or fasting, He first shows the wrong way to do it and then the right way. In verses 2-4, He addresses giving.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Matthew 6:3
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Different translations render it as “giving money,” “giving a gift,” or “doing an act of charity.” In every case, one word appears consistently, and that word is “when.”
Jesus assumes that giving is already part of our obedience. He is not teaching us whether to give, but how and why we give. Scripture assumes giving in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and Jesus and Paul affirm it. Tithing is not even presented as giving, because the tithe belongs to the Lord and is holy. It is simply the starting point.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
The real issue here is motive. Are we obeying God, or are we giving to receive something back? That question applies not only to giving money, but also to praying and fasting. When we give, do we give to get? When we pray, do we pray to get, and when we fast, do we fast to get? This passage compels us to reflect on why we do what we do.
Hypocrisy Defined
That is the purpose of this section. Jesus wants us to search our own hearts and determine our true intentions. Everything comes back to motive. That is why He warns against sounding a trumpet like the hypocrites do in the synagogues (Matthew 6:2).
I emphasized that synagogues are plural so that we would connect the religious system of that period with that of our own. We could just as easily call these places churches. There were hypocrites then, and there are hypocrites now. When I use that word, I use it as Jesus did, not to insult anyone, but to describe a role being played.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
The word hypocrite means a play actor. It derives from the Greek word meaning “someone acting under an assumed character.” It refers to a person who conceals their true motives and presents a false facade. The word occurs many times in the New Testament, most often in the Gospel of Matthew, and several times in the Sermon on the Mount.
Understanding what a hypocrite is clarifies what Jesus is confronting. He is not just exposing outward behavior. He is exposing inward motives. That is what this entire section concerns.
Two Motives for Giving
The focus is never outward but inward. We examine our own hearts to understand our motives. When it comes to giving, there are only two reasons we give. One is to get something in return. The other is obedience. One brings glory to oneself. The other brings glory to God.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
A hypocrite was a stage actor who played a role. He was an imitation, not the real thing. The Pharisees and scribes were not true Kingdom people but imitators. They acted for the approval of men. A play actor will not perform without an audience because the desire of his heart is to be seen.
This is precisely how the Pharisees acted then, and how hypocrites still act today. Remove the audience, and the performance stops. They want crowds, attention, and public recognition. Their giving was often announced publicly in the synagogues so their names would be heard. This public attention motivated them to keep giving.
The reason the hypocrite gives is to get something in return. They give to receive applause and praise from men. That motive is not pure. Much teaching today encourages giving to get, but that is not the right motive. Giving to get is erroneous.
The actual reason for giving is obedience. We give to the poor because God commands it. We give to ministries out of obedience, and we do not give for recognition. The hypocrite gave only to receive applause. Their motive was never to please God.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
This is the truth of all giving. Whether it is money, time, or energy, giving must flow from obedience and a desire to glorify God and His kingdom. Giving to receive is the act of the hypocrite.
Rewards in Matthew 6
In Chapter 6, Jesus used the word “reward” seven times.
Matthew 6:1
“…otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:2
“…Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:4
“…and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Matthew 6:5
“…Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:6
“…and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 6:16
“…Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:18
“…and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Jesus wants us to receive our reward.
Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:16). That means there is no future reward waiting for them. They wanted the praise of men, and that is precisely what they received. In every area—giving, praying, or fasting—we always receive the reward we are seeking in our hearts. The genuine desire of the heart determines the reward.
If we pray to be seen of men, our reward will be being seen of men. If we give to be seen of men, our reward will be the same. But if we do these things the way Jesus teaches, our reward will come from Him. The issue is not the act itself, but the motive behind it. That is why Jesus continually turns our gaze inward to examine why we do what we do.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
When Jesus says not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing,
Matthew 6:3
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
His point is not secrecy within a household. His principle is simple. Do not broadcast your giving. If we advertise our giving, we have already received our reward. Broadcasting reveals a desire to be seen by men, and that exposes the motive of the heart.
Jesus teaches that when our giving is done in secret, the Father who sees in secret will reward us openly. Whether the wording is debated or not, the principle stands. God rewards His people. When we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, blessing follows as part of the covenant (Matthew 6:33). God’s rewards are not only future. He blesses His people now, and He does it openly.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
The same principle applies to prayer. In verses 5-16, Jesus continues the contrast. He says that when we pray, we are not to be like the hypocrites. They love to pray, but they love it for the wrong reason. They pray to be seen by men, standing in synagogues and on street corners. Again, the issue is not prayer itself, but the motive behind it.
Matthew 6:5
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Jesus repeatedly says, “when you pray,” not “if you pray.” He expects us to pray. Prayer is an assumed part of the covenant. We are supposed to pray, just as we are supposed to give and fast. Jesus also says, “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” All of this indicates that private devotion is expected rather than optional.
Matthew 6:16
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Personal Devotion and the Secret Place
What Jesus is addressing here is personal devotion. Corporate prayer has its place, but this passage is about spending time alone with the Father. There must be intentional time set aside for personal fellowship with Him. That is part of the covenant relationship. God desires fellowship with us.
The hypocrites love prayer, but not prayer directed to God. They love praying in front of men. I admit that I have been guilty of this myself. There have been times when I prayed publicly, but was really speaking to the people listening. When that happens, the prayer is no longer directed toward the Father.
When we pray to be heard or to sound impressive, we already receive our reward. There is no further blessing connected to that prayer. The motive was to be heard, and that is precisely what we received. Jesus makes it clear that when prayer is performed for an audience, the reward ends with the applause of men.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Their prayers were not about thanksgiving, praise, confession, personal petition, or intercession. They were not truly directed toward the Father. The purpose was to display how religious they were. That is the heart of what Jesus is confronting in this passage.
Private Prayer Versus Public Display
Jesus is addressing personal devotional time, not public prayer. The Pharisees and scribes were practicing their devotions in public places like street corners and synagogues. They would openly read Scripture and pray in a manner visible to and audible to everyone. People would pass by and admire how religious and spiritual they appeared. That public display is what Jesus is condemning.
There is nothing wrong with public prayer. Scripture clearly supports communal prayer, and the Bible records numerous examples of corporate prayer. Praying publicly is biblical and appropriate. That is not the issue Jesus is addressing in this passage.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Jesus teaches the importance of private devotion. He tells us to enter our closet and shut the door. The word “closet” denotes a private and secure place. It refers to a concealed place where valuables were kept. It was a place of protection and secrecy.
The point Jesus is making is that prayer is a treasure. Communion with the Father is precious to Him. He values that private time with us. When we pray in secret, the Father who sees in secret responds.
The emphasis is on shutting out the world and being alone with God. Jesus is calling us to intimate covenant time with the Father. He wants personal fellowship. He wants to talk with us and spend time with us. Prayer is valuable to God because it is a precious communion with His children.
Jesus teaches us not to use vain repetitions in prayer.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Matthew 6:7-8
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Vain repetition means saying the exact words over and over with no meaning. Different translations describe it as meaningless repetition, babbling, rattling off words, or piling up empty phrases. The issue is not repetition itself, but prayer that has lost its heart and meaning.
Jesus never says not to pray the Lord’s Prayer. It is acceptable to pray it word-for-word. The danger comes when it becomes nothing more than a recital. When prayer turns into empty repetition, it becomes vain. The balance lies in avoiding both extremes and in understanding the difference between meaningful prayer and meaningless repetition.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Quality Over Length in Prayer
The emphasis Jesus makes is not on the length of the prayer or the volume of the prayer. The focus is on motive and quality. God is not impressed by many words. He desires personal, precious time with us. He already knows what we need. Individual prayer is about fellowship, not the presentation of a list of requests.
The Lord wants us to relate to Him as Father. There is closeness, but there is also reverence. He invites us into a personal relationship while remaining sovereign. Prayer allows us to connect with Him in both ways.
Lengthy prayers are not condemned. There are times when extended prayer is appropriate. Jesus is addressing vain babbling rather than sincere, heartfelt prayer. Even the Lord’s Prayer itself is brief, showing that meaningful prayer does not require many words.
The issue is not how long we pray or how impressive we sound. Those things are unrelated to what Jesus is teaching in this passage. Prayer is not measured by length or style.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
The main emphasis is that God wants personal, precious time with us. Prayer is about a relationship. We need to look inward and ask whether we truly desire that individual time with Him. If we do not, then something is wrong and needs to be examined.
When there is no regular time spent talking with the Father, the relationship is unhealthy. In any relationship, silence signals a problem. If children go days without speaking to a parent, something is wrong. Similarly, when believers go days without talking to the Father, it indicates a breakdown in fellowship.
Understanding the word “closet” clarifies this passage. It means a treasure place. Prayer is a place of treasure. That is the key to understanding what Jesus is teaching here.
An Indictment for Leaders and Believers
A point I have made and want to make again is how Jesus would say this to us today. It’s an indictment to me. Jesus was saying, “Don’t be like your pastors; be not you therefore likened to them; don’t be like those who teach you; and don’t be like those who are supposed to be examples for you; don’t be like them.”
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Matthew 6:8
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
This passage deeply convicted me and caused me to turn my gaze inward. As a pastor, I was compelled to examine my own life, heart, and motives. I had to ask whether my life is one others should imitate. I had to ask if I could say, like Paul, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
That conviction should not stop with pastors or teachers. It must extend to every one of us. Each of us needs to ask whether our lives reflect Christ in a way others would want to follow. We must consider whether Jesus would say “Be like them” or “Do not be like them.”
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
This realization struck me deeply and moved me deeply. It moved me to tears because I want to be an example. I struggle to understand why leaders would not desire that. It is sobering to ask what Jesus would say about my life and whether He would point others toward me or warn them away.
Jesus did not want His followers to be like the religious people of His day. That truth speaks loudly. We owe it to ourselves, our children, our churches, and our communities to examine the Word of God honestly. Once we see the truth of how we are to live, we must allow that truth to change us and those we influence.
Why We Pray
We are commissioned to take the truth into the world. Jesus tells us to go into all nations and also tells us not to be like the religious systems. He then says that the Father knows what we need before we ask. That raises the question of why we should pray if God already knows our needs. The answer is simple. We pray because it is obedience. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), and prayer is an act of obedience.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Obedience does not mean a cold or legalistic relationship. It reflects a relationship. Just as children are expected to speak to their father, we are expected to talk with God. Communication is necessary for a relationship. Without it, there can be no impartation, no guidance, and no growth.
The first reason we pray is obedience and covenant communion with the Father. The second reason is to recognize Him as Father. Even though He knows our needs, we may not, and prayer gives Him the opportunity to speak to us about those needs and how they are to be met.
The third reason for prayer is concern for others. Prayer is not only about personal needs. God wants us involved in intercession. He wants us to pray for one another and allow Him to speak to our hearts about the needs of others. Prayer is a corporate responsibility.
The fourth reason we pray is for the Kingdom of God to come in its fullness on earth as it is in heaven. The Kingdom should be the cry of our hearts and part of our daily prayer life. Many pray this without understanding what they are asking. Understanding the Kingdom is essential to meaningful prayer.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
The Model Prayer
In verses 9-15, Jesus introduces the model prayer. He tells us to pray in this manner. He does not command us to repeat the words exactly, nor does He forbid doing so. If the prayer becomes vain repetition or empty babbling, then it has lost its purpose.
Matthew 6:9–15
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Repetition Clarified
I want to clarify the issue of repeated prayers. Repeating words is not automatically wrong. Quoting Scripture in prayer or praying consistently for the same people or needs is not vain repetition. That can be meaningful and sincere. The problem arises when prayer becomes empty repetition, with words repeated over and over without heart or purpose. That is the vain babbling Jesus warns about.
Sometimes in group prayer, we explain what we are praying about so others can agree with us. There is nothing wrong with that. That is not praying to people but helping everyone participate. The genuine concern is when prayer becomes stuck in a rut. Prayer is meant to be communion with the Father. It is not dull or mechanical. It is intended to be living, relational, and meaningful.
Ingredients of Prayer
Jesus gives us the model prayer to help us understand the principles of prayer. There has already been extensive writing on it, so I am highlighting only the key points. The Lord’s Prayer is not meant to be a rigid formula. It is a pattern that shows us the ingredients a prayer should contain.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
The prayer begins by addressing the Father. We recognize who He is. He is “Our Father.” There is so much there, and it can remove prejudice when understood. We honor His name. We acknowledge His reign by praying for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Only after that do we move into personal petitions.
Those petitions include daily provision, forgiveness, right relationships, and deliverance from temptation and evil. The prayer then concludes with a declaration of God’s authority. These are not steps to follow mechanically. They are elements that shape a healthy, balanced prayer life.
Our Father
When Jesus teaches us to pray, He begins with “Our Father which art in heaven.” That immediately raises the question of whose Father He is. God is not the Father of everyone in the same way. This is not a pagan or heathen prayer. It is the prayer of a Kingdom person. It belongs to those who are in a relationship with Him.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Scripture shows the principle of two fathers. Jesus speaks of “our Father,” and He also addresses the Pharisees about “your father” (John 8:44). There is a clear distinction. Not everyone has the same relationship with God as Father, even though He is the Creator of all.
Jesus makes it clear how one comes to the Father. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is only one way to the Father, and that way is through Jesus Christ. There is no other method, no other system, and no other approach that brings us into that relationship.
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The principle is straightforward. For God to be our Father, we must come through Jesus. There is no other way. That is what defines the difference between “our Father” and “your father.”
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Jesus speaks directly to the Pharisees and tells them, “You are of your father the devil.” This establishes the reality of two fathers. There is our Father, the holy Father, and there is the father who is the devil.
First John also makes this distinction clear. It says that the children of God and the children of the devil are made manifest. Scripture consistently contrasts the two. From beginning to end, the Bible presents this principle clearly. There are two fathers.
John 8:44
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
1 John 3:10
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
This prayer is only for believers. When Jesus says “our Father,” He is speaking to those who belong to God through Christ. The phrase “which art in heaven” teaches two things. It speaks of intimacy and nearness. God is not distant. Father is a word of closeness. It expresses relationship and intimacy.
Through Christ, we now have access to the heavenly places. Scripture says we are seated with Him and can come boldly to the throne of grace. Such access is possible because of our position in Christ. God is not far away. He is present and near. A genuine father-child relationship requires closeness while still maintaining respect.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Hallowed Be Thy Name
When we pray “hallowed be thy name,” we are addressing God’s character. In Scripture, names reveal nature, character, and traits. When a person’s character changed, their name changed. God established this pattern Himself.
God revealed Himself through various names, each revealing a distinct aspect of His character. He is the same God, but His names reveal how He relates to His people. The same principle applies to people in Scripture whose names were changed when their lives were transformed.
That same truth applies to us. When Christ comes to live in us, our character must change. Scripture says we are given a new name. This reflects a transformed nature. We are being changed from glory to glory, and God began that process.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Revelation 2:17
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 3:12
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Understanding prayer begins with “hallowed be thy name.” This means recognizing who God is and what He is. His name reveals His character, authority, and power. He is almighty. He is the Most High, sovereign, and He is my Master and the God of my covenant. Nothing is too difficult for Him.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
When we come to God with that understanding, faith rises immediately. As we bow in prayer and acknowledge who He is, we enter a realm of faith. Recognizing His name and nature changes how we pray.
Thy Kingdom Come
The next part of the prayer is “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” After honoring who God is, we begin to pray concerning the Kingdom. This is part of the model prayer. These are ingredients, not a rigid sequence.
The question then becomes whether the Kingdom is coming or already here. Scripture makes it clear that the Kingdom of God is not something we are waiting to arrive. Jesus said the Kingdom does not come with observation. It is not found here or there. The Kingdom of God is within us.
The Kingdom is present and active. It is in us and works like leaven. It spreads through our lives and begins to consume our entire being.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Luke 17:20–21
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
When someone looks at me, they should see a life consumed by the Kingdom of God. It should shape how I think, speak, and live. When we understand the Kingdom, it begins to consume us. The Kingdom of God and the will of God are the same. They cannot be separated. If His Kingdom has come, then His will is being done. If His will is being done, then His Kingdom is present.
Separating the Kingdom of God from the will of God is impossible. Removing one from the other would be like removing color from a rainbow. There would be no Kingdom without His will, and no will without His Kingdom. When His will is done, the Kingdom is established. When the Kingdom is established, His will is being done.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
This produces transformation within us. The Kingdom of God is within us, and as it works in us, our will is replaced by His will. It is no longer about what I want, but what He wants. The Kingdom begins to work like leaven, spreading through every part of our lives until everything centers on His will.
Many people pray for the Kingdom to come without understanding what they are praying for. I used to pray that way myself. The Kingdom is not something we are waiting to arrive from the outside. It is already here, and it is meant to grow within us. We are called to actively participate in establishing the Kingdom by understanding it and praying in alignment with that understanding.
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
When Jesus teaches us to pray, He says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The wording is essential. It is not give me, but give us. It is not my, but our. The language throughout the prayer is plural. This shows that prayer is corporate in nature. We pray as a body, not as isolated individuals.
The emphasis of this prayer is not self-centered. Every part of it uses us, our, and we. That matters. The principles Jesus teaches about giving, praying, and fasting are never self-focused. When I give, it is for someone else. When I pray, very little of that prayer is meant to be about me. Prayer is not about treating God like a vending machine where I press a button and get what I want.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Daily bread does not mean worrying about food. The word “daily” is rare in the New Testament and conveys the idea of provision for the future. We need nourishment from God so we can go. Without His presence in our lives, there is nothing worth going for. Jesus later tells us not to worry about food, so this is not about anxiety. It is about dependence.
Forgiveness as a Kingdom Principle
Forgiveness follows the same corporate pattern. It is forgive us, not forgive me. God has forgiven us, but that forgiveness is maintained by how we forgive others. Jesus makes this clear. If we forgive others, our Father forgives us. If we do not forgive others, forgiveness is withheld. This principle is central to the prayer and cannot be ignored.
Forgiveness now hinges on our ability to forgive others. That truth is complicated because many of us have been deeply hurt, even after becoming Christians. I include myself in that. Forgiveness can feel impossible, but God has already provided what we need to do it.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
We were saved by grace through faith, and that faith was given to us by God. When we were saved, God came to dwell in us by His Spirit. Along with salvation, He gave us His nature. Because God is forgiving and lives in us, we now have the ability to forgive. He did not save us and then withhold His character from us.
If we say we cannot forgive, what we are really saying is not that we lack ability, but that we are unwilling. If we are genuinely saved, His Spirit lives in us, and forgiveness is part of His nature. Just as we have the mind of Christ, we also have His capacity to forgive. There is nothing He has forgiven us of that we cannot forgive in others.
Forgiveness and Salvation
Scripture refers to sins as both debts and trespasses, but regardless of the term, they must be forgiven. Forgiveness operates like salvation. God saves us by grace and gives us faith to believe. In the same way, He commands us to forgive and equips us to do so. Refusing to forgive blocks our own forgiveness from the Father.
Unforgiveness is dangerous. It erodes a person and produces bitterness and destruction. I have seen how it profoundly affects lives. Because forgiveness is so critical, Jesus reinforces it strongly. When Peter asked how often he should forgive, Jesus answered not seven times, but seventy times seven. This shows that forgiveness is not optional. It is a necessary expression of the life of Christ within us.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Matthew 18:21–22
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
The Parable of Forgiveness
Because forgiveness is required without limit, Jesus illustrates it with a parable. He says the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who called his servants to account. One servant owed an impossible debt. Since he could not pay, the king ordered that everything he had be sold. The servant fell to the ground and begged for patience, and the king was moved by compassion. He released him and forgave the entire debt.
That same servant then went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a small amount. He seized him and demanded payment. When the fellow servant begged in the same way for patience, he refused. Instead, he had him imprisoned until the debt was paid.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Other servants saw what happened and reported it to the king. The king called the forgiven servant back and rebuked him. He reminded him that his own outstanding debt had been forgiven because he asked. He said the servant should have shown the same compassion to his fellow servant. The king was provoked to wrath and delivered him to the tormentors until the debt was paid.
Forgiveness Required from the Heart
Jesus then applies the lesson directly. The Father will deal the same way with anyone who does not forgive others from the heart. Forgiveness is not optional. It is required.
I believe many people live under torment because they carry bitterness and refuse to forgive. God forgives us and enables us to forgive. If we refuse, we are walking in sin and remain under torment until forgiveness is released. God is at work in us, giving both the desire and the ability to do His will, and His will is that we walk in forgiveness.
Matthew 6 1-18 How to Give, Pray, and Fast God’s Way
Philippians 2:12–13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
It is God’s good pleasure that we maintain right horizontal relationships with others, just as we maintain a right vertical relationship with Him. Both matter to Him.
He enables us to live this way. He does not require something from us without also providing what we need to do it.
Matthew 6 1-18
Matthew 6 1-18
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