To be praised by the crowd for their devotion

To keep the law more carefully than everyone else

To help the poor in a way no one can miss

Do the right thing quietly, without trying to draw eyes to yourself

Keep doing the right thing, but make sure people see enough of it to appreciate you

Avoid any public good at all so no one can accuse you of showing off

Use extra religious display so your devotion is unmistakable

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and have often lived for the approval of other people. I cannot make myself right with God by outward display or good deeds. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you alone. Be my Lord and my Savior, cleanse my heart, and lead me in a sincere life before you. Amen.

From Performance to Surrender

Lord, revive your Church from the need to be seen. Cleanse our motives, expose every habit of spiritual performance, and teach us to love your approval more than human praise. Make our worship, service, and witness sincere before you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Us from Empty Display

Father, search my motives and free me from caring more about notice than faithfulness. Where I have performed for applause, forgive me and reshape me. Teach me to do what is right in secret and to rest in your seeing, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Clean Heart in Me

Pray by naming one area where you want recognition, ask God to purify the reason you do it, and then ask for one quiet act of obedience you can choose today.

Pray Through One Hidden Motive

Bring these thanks to God: that he sees the hidden heart, that he is not fooled by appearances, and that quiet faithfulness matters to him.

Thank You for Seeing What People Miss

Lord, I pray for anyone who feels driven to look impressive in church, work, family, or ministry. Free them from fear of people’s opinions, give them integrity, and let them know the peace of living before your eyes alone, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For Those Under Pressure to Impress

πάντα{PAN-ta###PAHN-tah###all} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} ἔργα{ER-ga###EHR-gah###deeds} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###their} ποιοῦσιν{pee-OO-sin###pee-OO-seen###do} πρὸς{PROS###PROHS###for} τὸ{TO###TOH###to} θεαθῆναι{the-a-THEE-ne###theh-ah-THEE-nai###be seen} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###the} ἀνθρώποις·{an-THRO-pees###ahn-THROH-pees###people} πλατύνουσι{pla-TEE-noo-si###plah-TEE-noo-see###broaden} ⸀γὰρ{GAR###GAHR###for} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} φυλακτήρια{fee-lak-TEE-ree-a###fee-lahk-TEE-ree-ah###phylacteries} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###their} καὶ{KAI###KAI###and} μεγαλύνουσι{me-ga-LEE-noo-si###meh-gah-LEE-noo-see###lengthen} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} ⸀κράσπεδα,{KRAS-pe-da###KRAHS-peh-dah###fringes}

Matthew 23:5 — FormalTAB

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