Bible In A Year | Read: Matthew 6
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:9-15
Jesus continues to emphasize who people are on the inside over what they appear to be. Their righteousness should be between them and God. That’s a way people can invest in eternity rather than life on earth. He also gives us his famous model for prayer.
We all tend to behave better when someone is watching. It would be great if we could be so motivated to please God that we do the right thing even when no one knows. Jesus also teaches on prayer. This is the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray.
You can say it – it is a powerful prayer.
You can take each phrase and meditate on it for a while.
You can focus on part of it and pray that.
This prayer has two main components – Coming into God’s presence (the first part) and then bringing God’s presence to our world (second part). It is a good pattern for us whenever we pray. Always start with God not our needs. When we get our focus there, then bringing His presence to our needs keeps our problems in proper perspective.
Finally, Jesus takes time to emphasize the need for forgiveness. Forgiveness cannot be received if it is not released by us. That is hard to understand. However, it is true. When I choose to forgive and be a man of forgiveness, I choose to have God’s heart. It recognizes that my need for forgiveness by God is greater than anything others did to me.
Time to Pray
Father, I take time to come and just listen. There are many needs, but first I want to hear You and know Your heart. Otherwise, my perspective is too narrow and small. So I start with quietness. I start with an understanding that what You say about my day will have more impact than anything I say about my day. So speak – and I will listen. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Action Step
What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
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