Attributes of Our Heavenly Father #6

“And when you are praying, do  not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do,
for they suppose that they will be hard 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

The Gentiles were trying to manipulate and appease their gods with their many words and their acts of sacrifice.  God, Yahweh, does not require sacrifice beyond Jesus Christ.  He hears us when we call.  And He knows what we need before we even ask.  God is saying that it is not about a list, but rather about a relationship.

He continues to teach that we are to pray the Lord’s prayer: 

“Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
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. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen”

We are to offer praise that God is our Father recognizing and acknowledging that relationship and His power and His plan and our place.  We can ask for our needs and ask forgiveness.  We can ask for protection from Satan, and we are to remember that all power and glory belongs to God.

If we do these few things we will be in right relationship with God.  These prayers can take a lifetime to work out, however!  Daily we must rely on God’s Fatherhood and faithfulness and provision and protection.  We must daily acknowledge His Lordship in our lives and the power that He has to lead and guide us .  Daily we must remember His promise of victory and His coming again.  And, daily, we must live in faith that our Heavenly Father is Who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do!

He is your Heavenly Father and He cares for you!