Matthew 6:6

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

ንስኻስ ክትጽሊ ኸሎኻ፡ ናብ ቤትካ እቶ፡ ማኦጾኻ ዕጾ፡ ነቲ ብሕቡእ ዘሎ ኣቦኻ ለምኖ። እቲ ብሕቡእ ዚርኢ ኣቦኻ ድማ ብግህዶ ኪኽሕሰካ እዩ።

What Does This Mean?

Jesus is advising his listeners to pray privately, not for show. When you pray, go into a quiet place where you can focus on speaking directly with God. He knows what's in your heart and will reward you.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a special friend who likes it when you talk to them alone without anyone watching. Jesus is saying that when you pray, find a quiet spot like your room, close the door, and talk to God there. It’s just between you two, but he knows everything and will give you something nice in return.

Historical Background

This verse comes from the Gospel of Matthew, written around AD 80-90 by an unknown author, traditionally believed to be Matthew the Apostle. The audience was likely early Christian communities who were learning how to live out their faith in a world that often misunderstood or persecuted them.

Living It Out Today

Consider making daily prayer a private habit, like brushing your teeth. Find a quiet moment each day where you can shut off distractions and genuinely talk to God about what’s on your mind, without worrying about being seen by others.

Topics

• prayer
• privacy
• faith
• reward
• intimacy with God
• discipleship

Related Verses

• Psalms 25:1
• John 17:6-9
• Ephesians 3:14-21
• Luke 18:9-14
• James 5:16

Recommended Reading

Commentary Matthew Commentaries → Get This Bible Amharic Tigrinya Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does praying in secret mean I can't pray with others?

No, Jesus is encouraging individual, intimate communication with God. However, communal prayer and worship are also important aspects of faith, providing support and unity among believers.

What does it mean when it says the Father rewards openly?

It means that while your prayers may be private, the benefits you receive from them—such as peace, guidance, or spiritual growth—are evident to others, reflecting God's active presence in your life.

How can I make sure my prayer isn't just for show?

Focus on what you're saying and why. Praying with sincerity means being honest about your thoughts and feelings without the need for an audience or praise from others.

Can anyone enter a 'closet' to pray, even if they don't have a private room?

Yes, the term 'closet' here refers more to finding privacy rather than a literal closet. It could be any quiet place where you can focus on your conversation with God without interruptions.