Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of genuine prayer, warning against the hypocrisy of praying for the approval of others rather than for God. He highlights that true prayer should come from the heart and not be filled with meaningless repetition or long-windedness, as these do not impress God. Poonen explains that Jesus taught His disciples how not to pray before teaching them the correct way, stressing the need for honesty and sincerity in our communication with God. He also points out that hypocrisy can hinder our spiritual growth and that God desires authenticity over outward appearances. Ultimately, Poonen encourages believers to seek God's approval above all else in their prayer life.