“And whenever you pray…” (Jesus, Matt. 6: 5&7)

The issue is not IF you are going to pray, but how and why are you going to pray.  Jesus assumes that people of God will pray; want and need to pray/talk/listen and connect with God.  The question is do you want and need to pray in order to talk/listen and connect with God, or to impress others or to impress yourself?  “Do not be like the hypocrites [actors]; for they love to stand and pray…so that they may be seen by others” (Matt. 6:5).   “Do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words” (Matt. 6:7).

If you are not praying why not?  If you have trouble praying,  just start praying the Lord’s Prayer, which is Jesus’ suggestion and invitation!  (Matt. 6: 9-13)