Daily Bread&Praying Like Jesus: Matthew 6 Cont'd

Prayer, who can adequately describe it?

Prayer definitely changes things, and we do get things out of it, but that should not be our primary focus. It is our communication with the Great Creator. It is a great mystery. It can be as complex as a dissertation and as simple as tear. The position of the heart is what makes prayer sincere. God does not need our eloquence.

Jesus asks that we would treat prayer like something meaningful, not taint it with our insecurities and idolatry of people. We operate well horizontally (with our neighbors), when we stay in clear vertical relationship (with God). 

The Lord's prayer is what our prayers should be, completely enveloped by the context of Heaven and the Glorious Throne of God. It calls everyone to take their eyes off all the other junk of life and look with amazement at the Creator.

The word “God”, especially when we've known of Him for years, can become pretty drab, impotent. It mixes with the other religious slosh we're accustom to hearing: worship, surrender, and the like. Matthew shakes us up here, out of our stupor.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

God's glory is our ultimate purpose and He deserves our reverence.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

God, choose the best way for us and the world around us. Even when it clashes with what we want.

“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

God please give us what we need to make it through each day. Forgive us our inconsiderate behavior and help us forgive those who are inconsiderate toward us.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

God please save us from ourselves. We are utterly incapable of keeping commandments without your power.

Questions:

1. How can we take the focus off of people when we pray in public?
2. What keeps us from prayer in our lives?
3. Prayer does not require many words, or words at all. Recount the most simple prayer you've prayed. Did it seem to have impact? Why or Why not?
   
   
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