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In yesterday's Bible in a Year, we reached the part that includes the LORD'S Prayer. I didn't want to spend the whole time talking about it, but I did spend a bit.
I'd now like to discuss it further.
In Matthew 6, Jesus lists several things to do or not to do.
1. Give your offerings in secret, don't make a show of tithing, or offerings. You should not have a large check ceremony when you make your offering. Leave that to the lottery.
2. Pray in private, don't make a big deal of it in front of others.
3. Be original in your prayer; don't say the same thing over and over.
4. Don't bore God with your "please can I have a pony" prayers, he knows what you want, and he'll give you what you need (sometimes, he'll give you what you deserve).
5. Don't make a show of fasting; clean yourself up, and look nice.
6. Don't worry, be happy.
7. Be what God wants, the rest will take care of itself.
The third thing was "Be Original".
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Vain repetition is saying things over and over, and has lost all meaning, like when catholics have to say hail mary's. They don't mean it, they just say it. They don't care.
Christians today do the same with the Lord's Prayer.
You probably know it.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(It's repeaded in Luke 11:1-4.)
What it has turned into is just seconds after Jesus says not to use vain repetitions, that everyone took his next words and used them as vain repetitions. This probably won't make Jesus happy.
What he meant, was to use the prayer that he offered as an outline. So let's break down Jesus outline for proper prayer.
1. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. The start of correct prayer begins with flattery.
"God, you are great"
2. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. The next part is more flattery, but slightly different, there's also a bit of self deprecation. It's also acknowledgement that God's WILL is going to happen.
"Do what you want, you are going to anyway."
3. Give us this day our daily bread. Please give us what we require. You don't have to, but that'd be great.
"I don't want a pony, but I would like to have a sandwich, just to survive."
4. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. If you think to the Judge Not... for by what measure you judge... Here it's asking for forgiveness, but ONLY if we forgive others.
"I forgave Gary for giving Scott potato chips, even though Scott eats really loud, please forgive me for the time that I accidentally farted at my desk and it stunk really bad."
5. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: Remember, in Isaiah, God makes evil and darkness. All the tempting is done by God. So Jesus is asking to not be tempted... too much.
"Please don't make me think about sinning."
6. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. End your prayer with more flattery.
"Did I mention you are great? Because you are! Amen."
So that's the Lord's Prayer outline.
Flattery, God do what you want, please provide my needs, ask for forgiveness (only after you've forgiven), don't let me be tempted, and end with more flattery.
YIC
V
I'd now like to discuss it further.
In Matthew 6, Jesus lists several things to do or not to do.
1. Give your offerings in secret, don't make a show of tithing, or offerings. You should not have a large check ceremony when you make your offering. Leave that to the lottery.
2. Pray in private, don't make a big deal of it in front of others.
3. Be original in your prayer; don't say the same thing over and over.
4. Don't bore God with your "please can I have a pony" prayers, he knows what you want, and he'll give you what you need (sometimes, he'll give you what you deserve).
5. Don't make a show of fasting; clean yourself up, and look nice.
6. Don't worry, be happy.
7. Be what God wants, the rest will take care of itself.
The third thing was "Be Original".
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Vain repetition is saying things over and over, and has lost all meaning, like when catholics have to say hail mary's. They don't mean it, they just say it. They don't care.
Christians today do the same with the Lord's Prayer.
You probably know it.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(It's repeaded in Luke 11:1-4.)
What it has turned into is just seconds after Jesus says not to use vain repetitions, that everyone took his next words and used them as vain repetitions. This probably won't make Jesus happy.
What he meant, was to use the prayer that he offered as an outline. So let's break down Jesus outline for proper prayer.
1. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. The start of correct prayer begins with flattery.
"God, you are great"
2. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. The next part is more flattery, but slightly different, there's also a bit of self deprecation. It's also acknowledgement that God's WILL is going to happen.
"Do what you want, you are going to anyway."
3. Give us this day our daily bread. Please give us what we require. You don't have to, but that'd be great.
"I don't want a pony, but I would like to have a sandwich, just to survive."
4. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. If you think to the Judge Not... for by what measure you judge... Here it's asking for forgiveness, but ONLY if we forgive others.
"I forgave Gary for giving Scott potato chips, even though Scott eats really loud, please forgive me for the time that I accidentally farted at my desk and it stunk really bad."
5. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: Remember, in Isaiah, God makes evil and darkness. All the tempting is done by God. So Jesus is asking to not be tempted... too much.
"Please don't make me think about sinning."
6. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. End your prayer with more flattery.
"Did I mention you are great? Because you are! Amen."
So that's the Lord's Prayer outline.
Flattery, God do what you want, please provide my needs, ask for forgiveness (only after you've forgiven), don't let me be tempted, and end with more flattery.
YIC
V