Matthew 6: 5-14

The reading this week is Matthew 6: 5-14, the bit where Jesus is teaching about prayer.

Jesus is explaining that prayer is a very personal thing between an individual and their heavenly Father.

'But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then the Father, who knows all secrets will reward you.' (v6)

He is telling the disciples and other listeners not to dress up their conversation to their heavenly Father but rather talk to Him. Don't pray to impress but pray to talk with the Father.

God listens to 'us'. Sometimes when I am in a prayer meeting I can hear myself drift into church talk; at which point I have to stop and remember who I am and what I am doing. Prayer isn't religious it is personal.

We are precious and honoured in God's sight and He loves us, as his children. Your heavenly Father wants to talk to you, 'He loves you just the way you are!'. So don't ever forget to talk to Him, He is waiting to listen... and waiting to give you perfect answers.

We often forget that prayer is a two way thing. We ask and forget to listen. How often do we leave silence for Him to speak.

I was reading a passage from a book recently which told the story of a young girl who was saving for a Bible. Her family had little money so she prayed to God to provide her with the extra money she needed. Once she had prayed she waited for God to answer.

The next day the young girl was in school and her teacher began to tell his pupils about his wife who was sick at home, and so his clothes where in need of some stitches here and there. Immediately the girl saw her answer, she jumped to to her feet and offered to sew the buttons to his shirt for a small fee. The fee topped the savings enough for her to buy her Bible.

What have you prayed for today and are you listening for the answer? Remember it may require you to do something.

'Our Father in heaven, may your name be honoured.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.
Give us our food for today, and forgive us our sins,
just as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And do not let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'