What You Must Not Do When You Pray, Fast, and Give

When You Pray, Fast, and Give: Introduction

When it comes to prayer, fasting, and giving, there are certain principles that every believer must understand and adhere to to experience true spiritual growth and reward. While these three acts are essential components of the Christian faith, Jesus provided clear instructions on how to approach them. He specifically warned against certain behaviors that can turn these spiritual practices into self-serving acts rather than ways to honor God. Here’s what you must not do when you pray, fast, and give, based on Jesus’ teachings.

1. Do Not Boast About Your Prayer Life

Prayer is a powerful tool for building intimacy with God. Jesus consistently emphasized that prayer should not be used for public display or self-promotion. In Matthew 6:5, He warns, “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.” Jesus points out that those who pray in public for the sake of being noticed already have their reward—the admiration of others. But this is not the purpose of prayer.

The essence of prayer is not to showcase how long or eloquent your prayers are, but to communicate with God in sincerity and humility. Jesus taught that we should pray in secret. “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 openly” (Matthew 6:6). Prayer should be a personal, intimate conversation with God. It is not about how impressive you appear to others but about your relationship with God.

2. Do Not Use Vain Repetitions in Prayer

In Matthew 6:7, Jesus also warns against using “vain repetitions” when praying, as though mere repetition of words will make God more likely to answer. Many people fall into the trap of thinking that praying for long periods or repeating the same words endlessly will force God to act on their behalf. However, Jesus said, “Do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).

This is not to say that long prayers are wrong or ineffective. The point is that prayer is not about showing how much we can say or how many words we can utter. True prayer is sincere and comes from the heart. It is a dialogue with God, not a monologue to impress others or to manipulate God into answering. God knows our needs even before we ask (Matthew 6:8), and He desires genuine, heartfelt communication from us.

3. Do Not Make Your Fasting Public

Fasting is another spiritual discipline that Jesus emphasized, but He also warned against doing it for the approval of others. In Matthew 6:16-18, He said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” Just as with prayer, the act of fasting is a deeply personal practice. It is a way to humble oneself before God and to seek His guidance and strength.

Fasting should not be used as a way to gain admiration from others. Jesus taught that when you fast, you should anoint your head and wash your face so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting. Fasting is not about public recognition; it’s about seeking God’s will in humility. “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18).

4. Do Not Make Your Giving a Public Spectacle

Just as Jesus warned against public displays of prayer and fasting, He also cautioned against making your giving a spectacle. In Matthew 6:2-4, He said, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” The purpose of giving is to help others and honor God, not to receive praise or recognition from people. If your motivation for giving is to gain the admiration of others, then you’ve already received your reward.

Jesus teaches that giving should be done quietly and privately, without seeking attention or applause. “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). True generosity is born out of a desire to bless others and honor God, not to elevate one’s reputation.

5. Do Not Focus on External Appearances

In each of these spiritual disciplines—prayer, fasting, and giving—Jesus emphasizes that the focus should not be on external appearances but on internal sincerity. Whether it’s the act of prayer, the discipline of fasting, or the kindness of giving, these actions must be motivated by a pure heart that desires to draw closer to God and serve others selflessly. Jesus points out that those who focus on external appearances and public accolades have already received their reward, but those who do these things in secret will receive their reward from God.

This truth challenges us to examine our motivations. Are we praying, fasting, or giving to please God, or to gain recognition from others? Are we motivated by love for God and others or by a desire to be seen as spiritual or righteous? Jesus encourages us to act out of genuine faith and devotion, not for show.

Conclusion: True Reward Comes From God, Not From Man

The core message that Jesus communicates in Matthew 6 is that when we pray, fast, and give, our motivation should be to honor God, not to gain recognition from people. These acts of faith are meant to build our relationship with God and deepen our spiritual lives, not to showcase our religious status to others. When we do these things in secret, with pure hearts, God sees our efforts and will reward us openly.

So, the next time you pray, fast, or give, remember the importance of doing so with a heart that desires to honor God alone. Avoid the temptation to make these acts public, to boast about your achievements, or to seek praise from others. Instead, cultivate a private, intimate relationship with God through these practices and trust that He, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.