Why does Jesus condemn self-centered prayer?
Christ and The Pharisees (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) In Matthew 6:5 –8, in the midst of His discussion of the contrast between true and false righteousness, Jesus condemns the Pharisees ’ current practice of prayer in two specific areas: self-centered prayer and prayer that had no meaning. Each area manifests one or more of the faults that had so corrupted true prayer in the life of the nation. Self-Centered Prayer Since pride was at its root, our Lord first dealt with those who prayed to exhibit their supposed spirituality before men. “ When you pray , you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” ( Matt. 6:5). Prayer that focuses on self is always hypocritical because every true prayer focuses on God. The term hypocrite originally referred to Greek actors who wore masks that portrayed in an exaggerated way the roles they were dra