The first negative example is prayer for the sake of reputation. Whether it is standing in places where you can be seen, or the use of eloquent words, we do not pray in order to win the approval of others. We do not need to come to God with a suitable collection of people’s praises, as if testimonies of fellow men will ensure an audience with the King.

Prayers for the sake of people’s approval might look impressive, but they testify to a lack of relationship with God. When someone prays for the sake of men, it reveals a distance between them and God. They do not really believe God will hear, they do not really believe God will answer; going through the motions, the focus of their prayer is earning approval in the present. And we have lots of people who pray this way in our society. Politicians typically follow this pattern. If there is a national tragedy, the response is thoughts and prayers or #pray if you are on social media. Essentially it comes down to sending good vibes, empathising with those who have lost loved ones. But it is done for show. It is done in public to reveal sympathy so that you look good. The primary concern is your reputation. Such prayer is prayer for my own sake , prayer divorced from relationship.

Practically, if something happens to a friend or there is a big tragedy, most certainly we can pray for the people involved and you will see one of our prayer points for this week is along those lines. But we do not need to advertise our prayers to the world. We can pray in private; prayer is not a means to make us look good.

Negative example two is prayer as a form of magic with the idea that a special combination of words will unlock heaven and force God to give us what we want. As if God is like a vending machine—put in the right money, press the right buttons and then you will get the outcome you need. This is the way in which pagans pray, the prophets of Baal being a prime example (1 Kings 18:1–46). In our day and age there are Muslims with their appointed prayers, Hindus with their mantras, and traditional African witchdoctors/sangomas with their rituals. In each case, the basic idea is that our prayers are a means of ensuring God’s favour or getting something from him.

Sadly, this attitude is also seen in many Christian circles. Prayers with a candle, prayers on a mountain, prayers in a special prayer room or a special building or by a special person. Prayers involving strange words that you would never speak otherwise. Prayers that repeat a particular line as if it is an incantation—In Jesus’ name, in Jesus’ name, in Jesus’ name.  The common idea behind all of these is that certain words or locations will make our prayers more effective.

Certainly, our Lord Jesus Christ is the mediator through whom we come to our Father, and we remember that reality when we pray in his name. Without his atoning death and resurrection, there can be no relationship. But his name is not a magical formula, and it must not be used as such. We blaspheme Christ when we do so.