Sermon on the Mount
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)
Tradition claims that here on the grounds of the Church of the Beatitudes is where Jesus preached an amazing sermon that included “The Lord’s Prayer” “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” We come in prayer to acknowledge our need. “Pray then in this way:
Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10) Faith speaks to an unseen Father believing that she’s heard. She bows to God’s sovereign authority, and humbly approaches the One whose very name is sacred. She has come seeking God’s will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Then she acknowledges her needs and the needs of others.
“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”(Matthew 6:11-13) Daily substance, forgiveness (according to the grace and mercy we have given to others), holy guidance and deliverance from evil are the essential needs of the child Of God. How seldom we consider the essentials when we come to our Father in prayer.
Father, many of us lack the need to ask for our daily bread, we live with abundance. Our need is for hearts that would share. If we hold others in contempt prevent us from presuming on your merciful grace and forgiveness. Expose those harbored thoughts that we may repent and know that we are forgiven. Shed Your light on our path so that we do not stumble and fall. Deliver us from the sin that so easily entangles us and the schemes of the evil one. Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. According to your will and in Jesus’ name Your children ask these things.
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13)
His Family Table 