Believers ought especially to be on their guard in spiritual matters -- let us not forget the admonition of Jesus, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them, otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matt 6). Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his classic sermon series / commentary, Studies on the Sermon on The Mount, is quick to unpack this point regarding caution in prayer at great length. We must be careful of our "spiritual reputation" as being a "person of prayer" he says.
But there is almost no place where the heart betrays it's true desire for recognition as the "Parable of the Prodigal Son" who sees he has been laboring faithfully, "I have been slaving for you for all these...