Turning righteousness into a way to win human notice

Choosing quiet obedience because it is right

Doing good mainly because people may praise you later

Do what is right without using it to gain an audience

Do it quietly, but make sure people later hear about it

Do it only when recognition makes the effort worthwhile

Do only the visible good deeds that make you look spiritually serious

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned, and I have often cared more about being noticed than about pleasing God. I cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and ask you to be my Lord and Savior. Cleanse my heart, and lead me to live for the Father’s glory. Amen.

Receive Christ for a Pure Heart

Lord, revive your Church where we have started living for applause. Purify our motives, strip away pride, and teach us to serve you sincerely when nobody is watching. Make us hungry for your reward more than human praise, and let our righteousness point to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Us to Seek You, Not Applause

Father, I confess that I have often wanted my good deeds to be seen. Forgive me for chasing approval. Turn my heart back to you, and teach me to do what is right for your sake alone, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Turn Me from Applause

Pray by naming one place where you want recognition. Ask God to purify that motive, then choose one good act this week that no one needs to know about.

Pray Through One Hidden Act

Thank God that he sees hidden obedience, notices quiet kindness, and remembers faithful acts no one else applauds. Bring him gratitude for every time he kept you from living for praise.

Thank You for Seeing the Unseen

Father, help everyone who feels trapped by the need to be noticed. Give us freedom to do what is right with a clean heart, and strengthen us to choose faithfulness over applause, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Free Us from the Need to Be Seen

Προσέχετε{pro-SE-khe-te###proh-SEH-kheh-teh###Beware} ⸀δὲ{DE###DEH###(but)} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} ⸀δικαιοσύνην{di-ke-o-SEE-neen###dee-keh-oh-SEE-neen###righteousness} ὑμῶν{hee-MON###hee-MOHN###your} μὴ{MEE###MEE###not} ποιεῖν{pee-EEN###pee-EEN###to do} ἔμπροσθεν{EM-pros-then###EHM-prohs-thehn###before} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} ἀνθρώπων{an-THRO-pon###ahn-THROH-pohn###people} πρὸς{PROS###PROHS###for} τὸ{TO###TOH###to} θεαθῆναι{the-a-THEE-ne###theh-ah-THEE-neh###be seen} αὐτοῖς·{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###by them} εἰ{ee###ee###if} δὲ{DE###DEH###(but)} μή{MEE###MEE###not} γε,{ye###yeh###indeed} μισθὸν{mis-THON###mees-THOHN###reward} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} ἔχετε{E-khe-te###EH-kheh-teh###you have} παρὰ{pa-RA###pah-RAH###from} τῷ{TO###TOH###the} πατρὶ{pa-TREE###pah-TREE###Father} ὑμῶν{hee-MON###hee-MOHN###your} τῷ{TO###TOH###who is} ἐν{en###ehn###in} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###the} οὐρανοῖς.{oo-ra-NEES###oo-rah-NEES###heavens}

Matthew 6:1 — Source TextTAB

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