If you perform religious acts to impress other people, then you’ll miss God’s reward. If you perform religious acts to impress other people, then you’ll miss God’s reward.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Action: a public speech Motive: for man’s praise Result: paid in full Action: a public speech Motive: for man’s praise Result: paid in full

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

God’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what’s best for those who fear him— hears them call out, and saves them.

God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he’ll make sure you find him.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us— whatever we ask— we know that we have what we asked of him.

Action: a private talk Motive: for God Result: God’s reward Action: a private talk Motive: for God Result: God’s reward

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.