Abiding Monday

Matthew 6:1-13

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good

so that you don't make a performance out of it.  It might

be good theater, but the God who made you won't

be applauding.......And when you come before God, don't

turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people

making a regular show out of there prayers, hoping for

stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

Here's what I want you to do:  Find a quiet, secluded

place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God.

Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.

The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin

to sense his grace.

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are

prayer-ignorant.  They're full of formulas and programs and

advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from

God. Don't fall for that nonsense.  This is your Father you are

dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.

With a God like this loving you, you can pray

very simply.  Like this:

Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what's best-

as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You're in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You're ablaze in beauty!

Yes. Yes. Yes."

The Message

We can make prayer so complicated.

"Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.

The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin

to sense his grace." 

Abiding