1"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
- P122
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.
12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ - P123
There is a difference between doing good deeds and parading our actions to draw attention to ourselves. Jesus encourages giving in secret to the needy and praying privately behind closed doors rather than seeking to be honored by others. He assures us that, although our heavenly Father is unseen, He recognizes and rewards righteousness that is done in secret. - P124
We do not know what that reward is, but one thing is certain: true righteousness is found in those whose actions are directed toward God’s approval rather than the praises of people. - P124
Hypocrites who announce their actions to be seen by others will receive their reward, and humble, generous believers who pray faithfully in the secret place will also reap theirs. - P124
In this model prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples how they should pray,
beginning with requests for the Father‘s kingdom to come and His will tobe done in this world, just as it is in heaven. - P124
The prayer also underscoresforgiveness and the issue of sin. God‘s people have been given the grace offorgiveness, and they should likewise forgive others who sin against them.
Jesus makes clear that this is a serious prayer for sincere disciples. - P124
Those whoseek to follow Jesus should diligently pray that God‘s will and ways prevail,
and we should do our part in making that possible, which includes trustingGod for our needs and forgiving others just as we have been forgiven. - P124
Dear God, I want Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done in this world. Open my heart to practice the forgiveness that I have received through the sacrifice of Your Son. In His name I pray, amen. - P124
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