“Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them; else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.  When, therefore, thou doest alms sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.  Verily I say unto you They have received their reward.  But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth, that thine alms may be in secret and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.” (Matt. 6:1-4.)

This is another denunciation of ostentatious “churchiness” and “goodness,” and religious posing.  It is a lesson needed as much today as in the time of Jesus.

“And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.  And in praying use not vain repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.  After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.  Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:5-15.)

Here are the words of Jesus regarding the subject of Prayer.  He cautions against the ostentatious exhibition of “piety,” so prevalent in all churches, in all lands, in all times.  He bids one approach the Father in a reverent spirit, devoid of all public notice.  Then He gives to his disciples the famous “Lord’s Prayer,” in which is condensed a wealth of true religious instruction and precept.  This glorious prayer needs no special interpretation. Let all students read the words themselves, filled with the realisation of the Spirit; and each will receive a message fitted to his requirements and development.  The Lord’s Prayer is a very Arcanum of the Mystic Message.

“Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:  for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast.  Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.  But, thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face, that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father, who