08.27.10 “The backbone of every relationship”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-15
5″And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9″This, then, is how you should pray:
” ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]‘
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com
Reflection Questions
It is hard to imagine sustaining any significant relationship in our lives without consistent and honest communication. We often find ourselves caught up in trying to understand the right “mechanics” of a healthy prayer life, and we miss the very simple idea that prayer is nothing more than sharing our heart with God and allowing God’s heart to speak to us as well. In Matthew 6, Jesus not only provides us a guide to lead us in our prayers but also illustrates the intimate relationship we might have with our creator.
- As you read again verses 9-13 which contain what we commonly refer to today as the Lord’s Prayer, what is Jesus saying about the relationship God wants to have with us?
- When you think about your personal relationship with God, how well would you describe your communication? How might you commit to improving your prayer life today?
Weekly Prayer
Lord, I want to grow more and more in love with you every day. I want to honor you with my every thought, my every word and my every deed. Help me, God, to see the places where I may be falling short, to discover the grace you have for the mistakes that I have made in my life and to receive again the courage you give to live a life of love and faithfulness to you. AMEN.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.