Jesus talked very much about how we should approach God in prayer or worship. He talked about what mind and attitude we should have about our relationship with God and his Word. Here are some of his teachings about what God is looking for in man’s faith.
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4.19-26
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterer —or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18.9-14
In such teachings, Jesus makes it very clear for us that God wants people to worship him with a spiritual mind of seeking and faith. Also, God wants us to know that all people in all places can worship him in truth. Worship of God is not limited to certain places or certain people. He is the God of all the world.
Also, Jesus taught us that man does not become pure in God’s sight through keeping laws only. God is looking for a mind of humility and submission to God, not simply someone who keeps laws. Just as the Pharisee lifted himself up in pride, many people think that they are better than others because of certain actions or prayers they offer. However, Jesus made it plain that this is not what makes us acceptable to God. It is sincere repentance and turning to God in humble faith that is acceptable to God.