In my last post, I quoted Chip Ingram. I want to quote another author today, my favorite. His name is Jesus. He wrote the most amazing book of all times, The Bible.
I was reading His book today in my daily reading and needed share what I read. Let these familiar words fall fresh on you today.
Matthew 6:5-13(NlT)
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Girls, did you notice He said "When" you pray? It is not an option. He is assuming that we will pray not if we will pray. The Lord always gives power and instruction to accomplish that which He has asked us to do. The instructions of how to pray and what to pray in any circumstance or situation of life are outlined right here in this text.
Today, take some time to pray this text aloud. If possible, go to your prayer closet or in my case my Jesus chair, close the door, and pray the prayer, experience its power. I did! I wish I could be there to see you when you walk out of your closet. I am sure that you will be glowing with His glory.
Have great day.
1 Comments:
Thanks so much for this devotion! Don't you just love it when God shows you - in one word - something big?! A couple of years ago as I was reading in Matthew, I came upon the verse about fasting. It, too, states when - not if - you fast. There is so much of His Word that we deem optional that He never intended for it to be so. These timeless truths of prayer and fasting are still applicable and essentials for the christian life. It just seems that we want the "buffet style" christianity: hold the prayer and fasting, but give me all the grace and mercy You can. Lite on the sanctification, but heavy on the blessings. And for goodness sakes, I will pass on sufferings and trials!
Let us look at His Word today in a fresh new way. And let me share the most awesome answered prayer in my personal life from God: I prayed that He would empty me of all religious stuff and theology/doctrine that was not of Him and true, and that He would replace it with His truth. He has done exceedingly, abundantly in that area and He continues to release me from the bondage of a lifetime of wrong thinking. (I am 42 and have grown up in church. Do you know what a wrong view of God a child can develop? Children are busy formulating their own theology too.)
Sorry so long - I tend to be a bit wordy. May we press in to Him as we press on to maturity.
In His love and hope,
Karan
kstandley@windstream.net
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