Praying alone like Jesus Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 6:46 – And after he had left them, he went up on the mountain to pray. Luke 5:16 – But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 6:12 – In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ 13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’ 14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Secret service Let us hide away our charity--yes, hide it even from ourselves. Give so often, and so much as a matter of course, that you no more take note that you have helped the poor than that you have eaten your regular meals. Do your alms without even whispering to yourself, "How generous I am!" Do not thus attempt to reward yourself. Leave the matter with God, who never fails to see, to record, and to reward. ... This is the bread, which eaten by stealth, is sweeter than the banquets of kings. Charles Spurgeon (London, 150 years ago) Checkbook of the Bank of Faith