The Model Prayer^(A)

⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the ^[a]hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, ^(B)go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you ^[b]openly. ⁷ And when you pray, ^(C)do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. ^(D)For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father ^(E)knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this ^(F)manner, therefore, pray:

^14 (O)“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But ^(P)if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking^(A)

^7 (B)“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For ^(C)everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ^9 (D)Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, ^(E)being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! ¹² Therefore, ^(F)whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for ^(G)this is the Law and the Prophets.

²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, ^(A)we have confidence toward God. ²² And ^(B)whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments ^(C)and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Confidence and Compassion in Prayer

¹⁴ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that ^(A)if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.