Jewish Three Times Daily Prayer and Jesus’ Secret Prayer Teaching

In Jewish tradition, prayer was practiced three times daily at specific hours: 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. This routine was deeply embedded in their religious and cultural life, serving as both a personal and communal expression of faith. These designated prayer times were often observed publicly, with individuals positioning themselves in prominent locations such as wide streets or street corners to be seen praying. The original Greek text describing this practice reveals that people would intentionally stand in conspicuous places, sometimes arriving early and remaining for extended periods, to ensure their prayers were visible to others ([16:54]).

This public display of prayer was frequently motivated by a desire for social approval and recognition rather than sincere communication with God. The act of praying in public became a means to demonstrate piety and earn praise from onlookers. Such behavior shifted the focus from genuine spiritual connection to outward appearances and human admiration.

Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 6:6 directly addresses this issue by condemning prayer performed for the sake of public acclaim. Prayer is affirmed as a private, intimate act between the individual and God, one that should be conducted away from the eyes of others. The instruction to “go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen” underscores the importance of sincerity and confidentiality in prayer ([19:54]). This teaching highlights that God values the motives behind prayer, rewarding those who seek authentic communion rather than public applause.

Understanding the Jewish practice of praying three times daily and the cultural tendency to pray publicly for recognition provides essential context for Jesus’s instruction. It reveals that His call to pray in secret was a radical departure from prevailing religious norms, emphasizing that true spiritual depth and growth arise from private devotion rather than public performance. This shift from external display to internal sincerity challenges believers to cultivate a personal relationship with God grounded in authenticity and humility.

The emphasis on private prayer as the foundation for genuine spiritual life encourages believers to examine their motives and prioritize their connection with God above social validation. True reward and spiritual maturity are found in the quiet, unseen moments of prayer, where the heart is fully engaged with the divine presence ([07:40]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from City Church Georgetown, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO