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Bible Study WELCOME TO AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.

Though I have never and would never push a member to pray out loud for the lesson or the service, this passage is oft singled out, drawn from it's context and given as the reason people will not pray for the service or the Pastor. I do have issues when anyone comes forward to praise me for a prayer I have prayed because they have, usually, not taken these verses to heart or have not read them.

The external study information you have given here should clearly define what Jesus was rebuking but, knowing people, I doubt that will settle it. One of my beliefs, live the Christian Life at all times, has given me start from time to time because regardless of location, my wife and I pray a blessing on our meal before a fork touches it. Once, while alone, in my late forties, I prayed over my 3 piece Chicken with biscuit and fries and as I took a bite of the leg a hand touched my shoulder and an elderly gentleman and his wife wanted to compliment me on praying over my Chicken in a 2 bit restaurant.

That unnerved me and sent me into a deep study of this passage. Discovering what you have given to the study settled me and when asked, to this day, I pray out loud, not impressive prayers, but conversations with my LORD that the people present might be blessed by His hand. Good post, my friend. (See, you have to watch me... there I go working on your nerves.) ;-)
 
th1b.taylor said:
Though I have never and would never push a member to pray out loud for the lesson or the service, this passage is oft singled out, drawn from it's context and given as the reason people will not pray for the service or the Pastor. I do have issues when anyone comes forward to praise me for a prayer I have prayed because they have, usually, not taken these verses to heart or have not read them.

The external study information you have given here should clearly define what Jesus was rebuking but, knowing people, I doubt that will settle it. One of my beliefs, live the Christian Life at all times, has given me start from time to time because regardless of location, my wife and I pray a blessing on our meal before a fork touches it. Once, while alone, in my late forties, I prayed over my 3 piece Chicken with biscuit and fries and as I took a bite of the leg a hand touched my shoulder and an elderly gentleman and his wife wanted to compliment me on praying over my Chicken in a 2 bit restaurant.

That unnerved me and sent me into a deep study of this passage. Discovering what you have given to the study settled me and when asked, to this day, I pray out loud, not impressive prayers, but conversations with my LORD that the people present might be blessed by His hand. Good post, my friend. (See, you have to watch me... there I go working on your nerves.) ;-)
Click to expand...

I love it you old rascal. :hug
 
Day 53 Thursday 6/6/14 Matthew 6:8 So Why Pray.

This question goes before the Lord's Prayer. I thank those of you who have already posted very good answers.

Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

I find the placement of this instruction of Jesus, helpful to understand what He is after. The beginning of Chapter 5, called the "beatitudes", lists a group of people who it seems from the language have become believers in Jesus therefore becoming the children of God. From verse two thru eleven and then this instruction before the "Lord's Prayer" appears to me that our prayers should include our Father's interests as our own and in turn, our Father makes our interests His own.

Our Heavenly Father is after a relationship with us as we have with a wonderful earthly father. I have never done this but I know of people who call Him "Dad" when they practice what I'm suggesting. For those of you who never had a wonderful father, that's tragic! You will have to envision a fantasy father. I had a model earthly father. Dad and I spent a lot of time together in work, play, and good conversation. Our Heavenly Father longs for that kind of personal relationship, not a distant God who we pray too when things go wrong or when we want something.

God thru Christ Jesus His beloved Son has sent His Spirit to live in us so that He is closer than any earthly father. SO, we need to practice having our Heavenly Father along with us thru out the day. We need to talk with Him, in our mind, as we see what might interest Him. Praise Him when we see something worthy of praise, and so on. Just like having a best friend with you every day, and guess what? He is your best Friend!
 
Chopper said:
Tomorrow's Study: Day 53 Thursday 6/6/14 Matthew 6:8 So Why Pray.

I have thought of making this a new thread back a while ago. So please lets have a lot of input from you folks as to why pray if God already knows what we need?
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The teaching of the Lord here says to me ... Reba i know your wants and your need of this or that i am concerned about your attitude the condition of your 'heart' put Me first .


Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you..
what do the Scriptures tell us His kingdom is..

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
 
NOTE: Deb13 and I have started a new thread in "Current Events & Politics" about the founding of America and freedom. Join us if you wish.
 
Day 54 Friday 6/7/14 Matthew 6:9 Model Prayer.

Matthew 6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

I'm sorry, I should have only posted one verse, V.9, not the rest of the verses. We will look at each verse individually.

In this prayer there are three requests for God's intervention on the earth, and three verses for man's need. This model prayer is in contrast to the prayers of the Scribes and Pharisee. as well as the heathen. Unfortunately, men who are ignorant of interpreting the holy Scriptures correctly, have assumed that this is the exact prayer that Jesus wants everyone to pray word for word. When I grew up in the Methodist Church, we recited these verses every time on Sunday morning. Even at home, I would pray this prayer.

Lets look at the first few words. "After this manner." In other words, this is a model of prayer, it is to be examined as an outline, very much like I used to formulate the sermons that I felt that my Lord would have me preach. Actually, this is a condensed version of any great prayer. These few words will actually be the spring board to other words depicting each section.

Example: Our Father which art in heaven." The word Father reminds us that we are His children. What did I ask of my earthly father. If I asked for something foolish, I knew he would not comply. Therefore, the years that I lived at home, I got used to what was he likely to answer in the yes. This reminds me of, 1John 5:14 & 15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" 5:15 "And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

I remember one Christmas in the 50s. I was using and old pair of ski's and poles that my Dad used when he used to sky when he was a young man. I had just begun to ski competitively and needed modern ski's and poles. When asked what I wanted for Christmas, I responded "ski's". Not only did I receive new ski's with "steel edges", new poles, in addition I received new boots to fit the bindings, new ski pants, jacket and gloves. Wow, I knew that my parents would get the ski's that I asked for, I had no idea that I was going to receive the other articles. Just like my Heavenly Father, my earthly father demonstrated GRACE. That is what God does in our lives. He knows of my desire, I ask for it knowing before hand by faith that He will provide because I have studied His Nature. If I know His nature to do certain activities, like providing for my needs, Jehovah Jireh and many times will give me more than I asked.

"Hallowed be thy name." Means "to be held in reverence" This one verse Is a proper start to our prayers. It is approaching God's Throne of grace by recognizing who it is that we are speaking too. We should not just come busting into the prayer closet of God with our requests. I know from past experience that when I take time to adore YHWH with statements of His goodness and holiness, His past blessings on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that it seems that the Holy Spirit in me comes alive in my heart. When this happens, it's like my prayer takes on wings and and takes on a holy conversation. The Holy Spirit energizes my prayer and I know that it is reaching the attention of my Heavenly Father Who loves to have this fellowship with one of His children.
 
Psa 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
 
Chopper said:
Day 54 Friday 6/7/14 Matthew 6:9 Model Prayer.

Matthew 6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

I'm sorry, I should have only posted one verse, V.9, not the rest of the verses. We will look at each verse individually.

In this prayer there are three requests for God's intervention on the earth, and three verses for man's need. This model prayer is in contrast to the prayers of the Scribes and Pharisee. as well as the heathen. Unfortunately, men who are ignorant of interpreting the holy Scriptures correctly, have assumed that this is the exact prayer that Jesus wants everyone to pray word for word. ...
Click to expand...

Why is this model of prayer in contrast to the Scribes and the Pharasee?
 
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
 
Ok I see, however it should be noted one was a pharisee the other publican. Two men should in no way describe a whole people or office. It would I think be the same as me saying all pastors pray or think like Fred Phelps.

The beginning of the parable is. "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"

It seems to me the parable simply used this 'certain' Pharisee and publican as an example. As verse 9 seems to introduce the idea it is meant for all those (whomever they may be) which trust in themselves and despise others.
 
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Chopper said:
Day 53 Thursday 6/6/14 Matthew 6:8 So Why Pray.

This question goes before the Lord's Prayer. I thank those of you who have already posted very good answers.

Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

I find the placement of this instruction of Jesus, helpful to understand what He is after. The beginning of Chapter 5, called the "beatitudes", lists a group of people who it seems from the language have become believers in Jesus therefore becoming the children of God. From verse two thru eleven and then this instruction before the "Lord's Prayer" appears to me that our prayers should include our Father's interests as our own and in turn, our Father makes our interests His own.

Our Heavenly Father is after a relationship with us as we have with a wonderful earthly father. I have never done this but I know of people who call Him "Dad" when they practice what I'm suggesting. For those of you who never had a wonderful father, that's tragic! You will have to envision a fantasy father. I had a model earthly father. Dad and I spent a lot of time together in work, play, and good conversation. Our Heavenly Father longs for that kind of personal relationship, not a distant God who we pray too when things go wrong or when we want something.

God thru Christ Jesus His beloved Son has sent His Spirit to live in us so that He is closer than any earthly father. SO, we need to practice having our Heavenly Father along with us thru out the day. We need to talk with Him, in our mind, as we see what might interest Him. Praise Him when we see something worthy of praise, and so on. Just like having a best friend with you every day, and guess what? He is your best Friend!
Click to expand...
As dysfunctional as my family was, growing, my stepfather, Dad, was like that to me. He was a double war vet and we built model planes and did all manner of things together. God, on the other hand, is so much greater that I pray others will lose their religion and will seek this relationship.
 
reba said:
Psa 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Click to expand...

Reba
You have selected marvelous verses that glorify God when coming into the place where we seek our Lord in prayer. I like those very much!
 
selihah said:
Why is this model of prayer in contrast to the Scribes and the Pharasee?
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Other than what Reba posted, the prayers of the Scribes & Pharisees were merely for show. Real prayer that our Lord will respond to is found in this model.
 
C'mon now, you just can't make blanket statements like that, well you can but... No where does it say as you seem to imply the prayers of all Pharisees and Scribes were for show. As I pointed out a few posts above the Pharisee and the publican were simply used as an example. As verse 9 seems to indicate the lesson Jesus taught is for those certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Those 'certain' which Jesus spoke I would think can be anyone from any race, color, creed. But to lump everyone into the same catagory on account of the action of one man or a few. I think goes against the very teaching Jesus is offering here which not to depise others or hold them in contempt.
 
selihah said:
C'mon now, you just can't make blanket statements like that, well you can but... No where does it say as you seem to imply the prayers of all Pharisees and Scribes were for show. As I pointed out a few posts above the Pharisee and the publican were simply used as an example. As verse 9 seems to indicate the lesson Jesus taught is for those certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Those 'certain' which Jesus spoke I would think can be anyone from any race, color, creed. But to lump everyone into the same catagory on account of the action of one man or a few. I think goes against the very teaching Jesus is offering here which not to depise others or hold them in contempt.
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Nobody is stereotyping individuals, for those 'certain' can be anyone from any race color or creed who exhibits the self righteous beliefs and behavior Jesus points out as hypocritical for one claiming to follow the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, in this particular context, the prevailing self righteousness exhibited by the associated schools of thought known as the Pharisees and Scribes, even Sadducees, of that era promoted a hypocrisy that needed to be addressed, with an alternative way illuminated.
 
selihah said:
C'mon now, you just can't make blanket statements like that, well you can but... No where does it say as you seem to imply the prayers of all Pharisees and Scribes were for show. As I pointed out a few posts above the Pharisee and the publican were simply used as an example. As verse 9 seems to indicate the lesson Jesus taught is for those certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Those 'certain' which Jesus spoke I would think can be anyone from any race, color, creed. But to lump everyone into the same catagory on account of the action of one man or a few. I think goes against the very teaching Jesus is offering here which not to depise others or hold them in contempt.
Click to expand...

Listen, you asked me a question dealing with our study. The verses were about the Scribes and Pharisee praying in public for show. That's what my answer was all about.
 
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