Analogy of a Prayer

Then Jesus expounded upon that. 

You know, to pray out of obedience is a holy act! Yes, God hears any prayer that is not quenched and hidden from un-pardoned sin. But we need to be obedient to his word and use the prayer that he gave us regularly.

How perfect was our Lord? Would he have given advice that was just so so? Would he have said, well you could pray this way if you want or just make sure you include this....? No, Jesus was always concerned for our well being and when asked, he told it as it should be.

So, now we have the perfect prayer to recite, but not only that, the elements of that prayer are the most important!

1st, we have confession of where our father resides, then we have adoration for his name. Then we acknowledge that His Kingdom is to come and until then HIS will should be done on earth as it would be in heaven, so we are to concentrate on His will to be done in our lives and through our lives.

We then are asking for our daily supplement. Then we are asking for forgiveness of our sins, but as important as that is, it is vitally important that we forgive others because our forgiveness is dependent upon that!

Then we are asking for help out of temptation and deliverance from the evil that so easily besets us.

And how does it end, in essence it is saying we are a part of His kingdom, with access to His power, and His glory, forever.

Matthew 6:6-16, In this set of passages, it is explained to us in a more definitive nature. Jesus tells us not to pray in public, which in my humble opinion, when public prayer is offered in the church or in another public setting, it is a courtesy, it is done in a spirit of exhortation, and it is also a lesson on how we can speak directly to our Father, now that the veil of the temple was taken out of the way at the crucifixion.

That being said, verse 6:6 tells us we need to pray in our closet so to speak.

Now, ponder this, did they have closets back in Jesus day? 

Maybe, but this is a sure lesson in private prayer.

In Matthew, there are elements that are added to acknowledge again that the Lord's Kingdom is present in the body of Christ's church and saints, but also that it is through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit that we are able to confess that He is Lord, and that it is forever and ever!

Now, again, the importance of that forgiveness nature is defined and reiterated in verses6:14-15. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I am so sorry to say that most people forget this aspect of the Lord's prayer and how it affects our walk and personal relationship with God!

Jesus didn't tell us this for no reason, pay attention folks!

There are so many instances when this impedes our own forgiveness, our intimate relationship with God, and our growth!

I can't say enough about this or highlight it enough.

I don't want to say it usurps our way into heaven, but is that equal to iniquity in our lives, are we graded like students and some will get an A, while others get a D or D-, read Matthew 13:41 The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

If we are being obedient, are we abiding in Christ? Read, John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

In 1st Corinthians 3:13 our works are tried by fire, but we are saved yet as by fire. 1st Cor. 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

2nd Peter 3:11 in talking about the end of the ages, asserts ...."what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and Godliness." 14 ...be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless!

To me, unforgiveness, or forgiveness without reconciliation in many cases, (not all) is likened unto the sin of hatred. God judgeth the heart.

1st John 3:4-5 It says this.. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

In this same chapter verse 15 says Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

What is unforgiveness?

What feelings are behind that emotion?

The more serious unforgiveness brings forth wrath and malice, and sometimes murder and so this is why hatred is akin to murder.

So you see, we need to be diligently obedient in all these things that pertain to our salvation and Love God with all our hearts, but also give Him reverence with a healthy fear.

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My hope for you is that you have had a prayer of salvation,

and if you haven't and you want to ask Christ into your heart and life,

then I offer these words for you to repeat,

but only if your heart is sincere,

because God knows it if you're not.

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Dear God, I now know I have needed you and have

rejected your calling, so today, right now, 

I ask Jesus Christ to come into my heart and my life, 

and forgive me from all past sin and Lord cleanse me 

from my unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus was 

crucified for my sin, died, and was buried and rose from

the dead according to the scriptures. I want you forever

more to be my guide and I want to follow you as a believer. 

I ask for your strength to change my heart and 

my earthly ways so that I can become a better 

child in your kingdom. Show me how to depend 

on you in all things. And show me how to do 

your will in my life. I thank you and pray this 

prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!