Jesus saw the multitudes before Him, He took His disciples up to the top of a mountain and began to teach something very vital (Mt. 5:1-2). He began to teach the difference between the system of the world, including the system of religion, and the Kingdom of God. This is one of the longest discourses of Christ recorded in scripture. What He taught the disciples that day on the mountain, would introduce a completely new understanding of the Father and His Kingdom than what the disciples had known and practiced all of their lives. What He taught them was truth that would provide for them and us in body, soul, and spirit.
One truth underlying our spiritual relationship with the Father that Christ revealed that day is that the Father sees and knows in secret. Our prayers, and our giving, in order to fulfill the true power and blessing contained within them, is not done before the eyes and knowledge of men, but is to be done in secret, just between the Father and us:
"...when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth**: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Mt. 6:3-4, 6
By not letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing, we are not to congratulate our own pride of self-righteousness, which hides within us, and is eager to be puffed up before God. Jesus even had to teach these grown men how to break the tradition of empty prayers. He taught that our prayers do not need to be religious "rote" prayers, full of repetitious words that we do not feel, that have little meaning to us, and even less meaning to the Father (v. 7-8). Thinking as the world thinks and admires should not carry over into our prayers. If we do these things openly to impress others, than that is the only "reward" our prayers and giving will receive.
In giving us a prayer guideline, Jesus did not tell us to "pray these words", but rather, "after this manner, therefore, pray ye" (v. 9). The words He gave as a model, the we know as "The Lord's Prayer", offer several powerful principles:
- Our effective prayer worships the holiness of the LORD, and His name.
- The only kingdom that we desire here on earth, is the Father's Kingdom, and His will, and our desire is for His Kingdom and will to fill the earth.
- We rely on the Father, rather than on the world or ourselves, to provide for us in every way.
- Our Father's Kingdom is based on the principle of sowing and reaping. If we are praying for forgiveness, than we must forgive others. As we bless others, we are blessed in turn (see also Eph. 4:32).
- Our deliverance from evil and temptation is from our Father, and not in our own strength (see also 1 Cor. 10:13).
- Our prayers conclude as they opened, in worship of the Father, and praise of His Kingdom.
Jesus continued to tell His disciples how even our daily lives, our thoughts, our goals must be changed. They are not to reflect the world's thoughts and goals that we have known all our lives, but the Father's Kingdom instead. The thoughts, worries, desires, cares, investments, plans that have consumed us are of no value to us. The only thing that can add to our lives is the provision found in our Father's Kingdom:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also...No man can serve two masters...Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on...for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all of these things. But seek (aim at, strive for, crave, seek by thinking, meditating, reasoning, enquiring into) ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Mt. 6:19-33 (excerpt)
We are all guilty of serving both the LORD's Kingdom and the kingdom of the world. What Jesus taught His disciples and us not only serves us in every day life now, but is the secret place of our provision, physically and spiritually, for these end times. Our minds need to be renewed in this truth. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, and that warfare involves taking down the strongholds that rule over our own thoughts and imaginations, bringing them into the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-7).
What we seek in life is found in the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and this is where we should seek first.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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