Why does Matthew 6:6 tell us to pray in secret and God will reward you openly?

In Matthew 6, part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ teaches about authentic spirituality through a personal relationship with God, rather than insincere religious performance. Jesus contrasts the hypocrisy and pretense of the Pharisees with the genuineness of kingdom servants. Addressing authenticity in prayer, Jesus begins one of His most memorable teachings: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the 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. But you, when you pray, 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 openly” (Matthew 6:5–6, NKJV).

Praying “in secret” behind a closed door refers to private prayer. Warren Wiersbe explains, “It is not wrong to pray in public in the assembly (1 Tim. 2:1ff), or even when blessing food (John 6:11) or seeking God’s help (John 11:41–42; Acts 27:35). But it is wrong to pray in public if we are not in the habit of praying in private” (The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, Victor Books, 1996, p. 25).

In context, Jesus warns against practicing righteousness “to be seen” (Matthew 6:1) and “honored” by others (Matthew 6:2). The religious leaders of Jesus’ time made an open display of their righteousness. They gave money, fasted, and prayed publicly in synagogues and on street corners. Their motivation was not genuine devotion but performance, and their only reward consisted of human admiration and applause rather than God’s approval.

In contrast, Jesus redirects His followers toward an entirely different heart orientation. Rather than forbidding public prayer, He emphasizes privacy through both physical seclusion and spiritual intimacy. A true kingdom servant does not use prayer as a platform or stage but as a doorway to a relationship with the Father. The instruction to “go into your room and shut the door” is both practical and symbolic. Practically, it removes distractions. Symbolically, it represents entering a space of intimacy with God—a place where pretense falls away.

Throughout the Bible, God meets people in secret, hidden places: Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–15), Elijah in the gentle whisper on the mountain (1 Kings 19:11–13), and Jesus Himself withdrawing to solitary places to pray (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). The secret place is where real change happens. It is where we can be honest with God, release our burdens, and allow His clarity to emerge.

Jesus calls us to step away from distractions and experience direct communion with God. Praying in secret guards our hearts from becoming entangled with our egos. When no one is watching, it is just us connecting with God. The hidden place reveals our true motives (Luke 8:17; 12:1–3; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

Prayer that arises from a close relationship with God and is offered with right motives pleases Him and brings His favor (Jeremiah 17:10; James 4:3; 1 John 5:14–15; Proverbs 15:8). The outcome of God’s favor is receiving His reward, both now and in the life to come.

Sincere prayer rooted in relationship naturally produces visible results in our lives, not as a show, but as fruit. We experience God’s peace that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:6–7). Others see the “unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). When we are grounded in private prayer, we gain wisdom and discernment (James 1:5; Ephesians 1:17–18; Colossians 1:9–10). We make decisions that reflect clarity and stability (Proverbs 3:5–6). Our character begins to transform as humility, patience, compassion, and integrity grow through our private life with God (Galatians 5:22–23). We gain strength and resilience to endure hardships (Isaiah 40:29–31; Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10), and others notice. Relationships are restored, and our behavior is renewed because of the Holy Spirit’s inward spiritual work (Ezekiel 36:26–27; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

When we pray in secret, in an authentic relationship with God, He rewards us openly with a transformed life. God’s work in the hidden place, little by little, becomes evident, not because we seek attention, but because genuine spiritual growth cannot stay concealed. The secret place is where faith becomes real. And the open reward is the unmistakable evidence of a life shaped by quiet communion with God.

The open reward of kingdom servants stands in sharp contrast to the Pharisees’ fate. Religious hypocrites receive their reward in this life—the worthless praise of humans (Matthew 6:2, 16; 23:5–7). But they lose out on any eternal reward (Matthew 23:13–15, 27–28; Philippians 3:19).