Guiding Principles for Private Prayer in Matthew 6:6
Matthew 6:6 provides specific guidance on the practice of private prayer, stating, "But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" [1]. This verse is part of a larger discourse in Matthew 6 (verses 1-18) where Jesus instructs his followers on acts of righteousness, including gift-giving, prayer, and fasting [6]. The overarching theme of this section is that these acts should be performed as service to God rather than for public recognition [6].
The literary context of Matthew 6:6 is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching on discipleship. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus warns against praying like hypocrites who "love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, that they may be seen by others" [1]. This sets the stage for the instruction on private prayer, emphasizing sincerity over outward display. Following Matthew 6:6, Jesus continues to elaborate on prayer, cautioning against "vain repetition" and then providing what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer as a model [1, 4]. This model prayer is presented as a simple expression of faith, contrasting with the pagan prayers that rely on many words [4].
Historically, Jesus' teachings on prayer in Matthew 6 were delivered to his disciples and a broader audience, likely in the region of Galilee, during his earthly ministry. The instruction to enter an "inner room" (ταμιεῖόν, tamieion) and "shut your door" (κλείσας τὴν θύραν σου, kleisas tēn thyran sou) suggests a deliberate act of seeking solitude [1]. This command is not a prohibition of corporate prayer, which Jesus himself engaged in and taught (e.g., Matthew 18:19-20; Luke 11:2-4), but rather an instruction to avoid using prayer as a means of drawing attention to oneself [3]. The emphasis is on the retiring character of true prayer, ensuring it is not prompted by ostentation but by genuine devotion [7].
Key terms in Matthew 6:6 include "inner room" and "in secret." The "inner room" (ταμιεῖόν) refers to a private chamber, a place of retirement [7]. The phrase "in secret" (ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, en tō kryptō) highlights the hidden nature of this prayer, emphasizing that it is directed solely to God, who also "sees in secret" [1]. This concept of God seeing in secret implies divine omniscience and a personal relationship between the worshiper and God [1]. The promise that "your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" suggests that genuine, private devotion will be acknowledged and blessed by God [1]. This reward is not necessarily material but signifies divine approval and blessing [1].
Major exegetical decisions regarding this passage often revolve around the balance between private and public prayer. While Jesus explicitly condemns prayer done for public show, he does not forbid public prayer itself [3, 7]. The critical distinction lies in the motivation behind the prayer. If the motivation is to be seen by others, it is condemned; if it is to genuinely communicate with God, it is commended, even if it occurs in a public setting [7]. The passage also highlights the intimate relationship between the believer and God, referring to God as "your Father" [1]. This address to God as Father was a distinctive practice of Jesus, as Jews rarely addressed God in this way, except for one instance in Mark 15:34 [4].
The range of interpretations for Matthew 6:6 generally aligns with the understanding that Jesus is advocating for sincerity and privacy in prayer. John Calvin, in his Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, frequently references Matthew 6:6 in discussions about prayer and seeking God [5]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Matthew 6:6 clarifies that "it is not the simple publicity of prayer which is here condemned," but rather prayer prompted by "the spirit of ostentation" [7]. The commentary emphasizes "the retiring character of true prayer" [7]. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Luke 6:12, notes that Christ's frequent retirements for prayer serve as an example of secret prayer, which is essential for maintaining communion with God and for the soul's prosperity [8].
The passage has functioned in Christian tradition as a foundational text for understanding the nature of personal devotion. It underscores the importance of a direct, unmediated relationship with God, free from external pressures or the desire for human approval. The command to pray "in secret" has encouraged believers throughout history to seek quiet times and places for communion with God, echoing the example of Christ himself, who was constant in private prayer (Matthew 14:23; 26:36, 39; Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18, 29) [2]. The promise of being "rewarded openly" reinforces the belief that God acknowledges and responds to sincere prayer, even when offered in solitude [1, 2]. This principle has shaped practices of daily devotions and personal spiritual disciplines across various Christian traditions.
Sources
- Matthew “But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. -- Matthew 6:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Private — Christ was constant in -- Mt 14:23; 26:36,39; Mr 1:35; Lu 9:18,29. Commanded -- Mt 6:6. Should be offered At evening, morning, and noon. -- Ps 55:17. Day and night. -- Ps 88:1. Without ceasing. -- 1Th 5:17. Shall be heard -- Job 22:27. Rewarded openly -- Mt 6:6. An evidence of conversion -- Ac 9:11. Nothing should hinder -- Da 6:10. Exemplified Lot. -- Ge 19:20. Eliezer. -- Ge 24:12. Jacob. -- Ge 32:9-12. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:22,36,39. Hannah. -- 1Sa 1:10. David. -- 2Sa 7:18-29. Hezekiah. -- 2Ki 20:2. Isaiah. -- 2Ki 20:11. Manasseh. -- 2Ch 33:18,19. Ezr”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:6: 6:6 go away by yourself: Jesus is not prohibiting corporate prayer (see 18:19-20; Luke 11:2-4) but is instructing his followers to avoid using prayer as a means of drawing attention to themselves.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:1: 6:1 This verse introduces the theme of 6:2-18, that righteousness should not be done for public recognition but as a service to God. • Good deeds are acts that conform to God’s pattern for proper behavior: e.g., gift giving (6:2-4), prayer (6:5-15), and fasting (6:16-18). Jesus urges secrecy to counteract the human propensity to seek praise for oneself rather than for God (cp. 5:16).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet--a place of retirement. and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly--Of course, it is not the simple publicity of prayer which is here condemned. It may be offered in any circumstances, however open, if not prompted by the spirit of ostentation, but dictated by the great ends of prayer itself. It is the retiring character of true prayer which is here taught. Supplementary Directions and Model Prayer (Mat 6:7-1”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 6:12: In these verses, we have our Lord Jesus in secret, in his family, and in public; and in all three acting like himself. I. In secret we have him praying to God, Luk 6:12. This evangelist takes frequent notice of Christ's retirements, to give us an example of secret prayer, by which we must keep up our communion with God daily, and without which it is impossible that the soul should prosper. In those days, when his enemies were filled with madness against him, and were contriving what to do to him, he went out to pray; that he might answer the type of David (Psa 109:4”