![]() “throne of grace.” God the Father, with Jesus at his right hand (Heb. It indicates that Christians may come before God and speak plainly and honestly (yet still with appropriate reverence), without fear that they will incur shame or punishment by doing so. ![]() “Confidence” translates Greek parrēsia (“boldness,” “confidence,” “courage,” especially with reference to speaking before someone of great rank or power cf. The encouragement to “draw near” to God’s throne implies that Christians have the privilege of a personal relationship with God. 4:11), which is possible only when one’s sins are forgiven through the sacrificial and intercessory ministry of a high priest (Heb. proserchomai, “approach, go to, draw near to”) is used consistently in Hebrews to represent a person approaching God (Heb. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus is prohibiting mindless, mechanical repetition, not the earnest repetition that flows from the imploring heart (Mark 14:39 2 Cor. Pagans repeated the names of their gods or the same words over and over without thinking (cf. Though public prayer has value, prayer completely away from public view allows a person (or group) to focus more exclusively on God. One’s internal motivation is the central concern. Jesus did not condemn all public prayer, as indicated by his own prayers in public (e.g., Matt. At the set time of prayer, pious Jews would stop what they were doing and pray, some discreetly, but others with pretentious display. Public prayer, said aloud in the morning, afternoon, and evening, was common. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ![]() But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Matthew 6:5–8Īnd when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. ![]() ![]() All commentary sections adapted from the ESV Study Bible. This article is part of the Key Bible Verses series. ![]()
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