----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2017 7:32 AM
Subject: to the point
Matthew 6:
7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
"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 this day 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 evil.
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day 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 evil.
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I never saw this before this morning... Right before Jesus gives the words to the "Lord's Prayer" He makes an interesting instruction. As He is teaching them how to pray He says not to use "empty phrases" or try to impress God with "many words". He reminds them that the Father already knows their needs before they even ask. The Lord's Prayer is a concisely phrased model that starts by remembering who God is and acknowledging His great plans for the world...and His care for our personal needs. It addresses our responsibility to treat others as we desire to be treated and our great need to be set free from evil.
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In a way it seems like this prayer "realigns" our perspective and focus on what is most important: the reality of God, our need for His provision, our need to forgive and to be forgiven, and our need for God's help to walk in truth. Prayer gets to the point.
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blessings,
Rob Smith
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