Talking to God: A Guilt Free Guide to Prayerਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 1 - Not a Performance

Matthew 6:5-8 - “Do not be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly…”

Devotional Thought:
All of us have had a time in our life where we’ve prayed. Even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a Jesus follower, there’s a chance you’ve prayed. Maybe it was right before you got on a plane, or going for a job interview. Perhaps it was when something happened in your life that made you feel out of control or someone in your life was out of control.

Isn’t it interesting that the moment we start talking about prayer, most of us think about what we’re doing wrong? We didn’t pray long enough. Or we got distracted. Or we forgot altogether. And that guilt makes us want to avoid prayer, not lean in.

If you’ve ever felt guilt when it comes to prayer, something that will hopefully reassure you is when Jesus began teaching on prayer, He didn’t start with the how. He started with the heart- specifically, what gets in the way.

In Jesus' time, some religious leaders turned prayer into performance. They prayed in public to look spiritual, not to connect with God.

If we're honest, we can do the same. Maybe not on street corners, but online, in small groups, or in our own minds—feeling like we have to sound polished or deep for it to “count.”

But Jesus says, That’s not what prayer is about.

Prayer isn’t for performance. It’s for connection.
God isn’t grading your prayer - He’s simply glad you showed up.

So today, let’s drop the act. Prayer isn’t a performance. It’s just you, showing up as you are, with the God who already knows and loves you.

Prayer Prompt:
Tell God one thing that’s on your mind, or heart, today—even if you’re not sure how to say it.