Hey PPN Family,

When I was in Year 3 at an Adventist Christian primary school in New Zealand, the principal once asked me to say a prayer after the lunchtime bell rang. With over 200 students and staff looking at me, I froze—and then I cried. I felt too ashamed to pray because I didn’t know any of the “big words” I had often heard the adults use.

Looking back, I wish I had known what Jesus said in Matthew 6:5–6 (CEV):

“When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private and will reward you.”

These verses are a powerful reminder about the heart of true prayer. Jesus warns us not to pray just to look spiritual in front of others. Prayer is meant to be a sincere and intimate conversation with our Heavenly Father—not a performance. Public prayer isn’t wrong, but our motives matter. When we pray to impress others, we miss the point. But when we pray quietly and sincerely, we experience God’s presence and peace.

I’ll be honest—I've prayed some “show-off prayers,” and I’ve also prayed quietly, just me and God. While people may have praised the former, the latter filled me with God's love, joy, peace, and power.

So, if you're longing for more of God's presence in your life, I encourage you to spend some quiet, personal time in prayer with the King of the Universe.

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai