Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Ingredients to Prayer

What a great day back at work.  Other teachers commented on how well behaved and respectful my kids are... =)  Makes me want to hug them all and makes all this extra work I do for them very worthwhile.

Matthew 6:1-18
Teaching about Giving to the Needy, Prayer and Fasting
Our good deeds need not be "publicized" as that defeats the true purpose of what we are trying to do.  We are not trying to draw others into focussing on how "good we are", but rather to help others who are truly in need.

I find this part about praying in secrecy rather interesting... I thought it would be honourable to him if we prayed in public and share our faith with others...  I also find this next part rather comforting: When you pray, don't babble on and on... (7)

God can only forgive us, when we have learned to forgive others.What right do we have to hold a grudge against someone else?

When we choose to fast, we must also do so secretly, or at least in a way that doesn't draw attention to ourselves.  Our fast is between God and you, not you and others...

Side Bar Commentary from Bible
Things to include when we pray:
1. We need to praise God and ask that His will be done, so that His Kingdom may come.
2. Thank God for what we have and confess any sins.
3. Ask for God's wisdom and strength to resist temptation.

Romans 4:13-17
The Faith of Abraham (con't)
Faith is the the key since God's promise of the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life is a free gift.  This gift cannot be earned through good deeds, but only through Jesus.

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