Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

Mat 6:5-15 (TLB) 
Examine your motives when you pray
{5}"And now about prayer. 
When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites 
who pretend piety by praying publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. 
Truly, that is all the reward they will ever get. 

Effective prayer requires solitude and sufficient time
{6} But when you pray, go away by yourself, all alone, 
and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father secretly, 
and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you.

God is not impressed by repititous prayers
{7} "Don't recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, 
who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again. 

Remember that God knows your thoughts and needs 
{8} "Remember, your Father knows exactly what you need 
even before you ask him! 

Its ok to use a prayerlist
{9a} "Pray along these lines: 

Recognize God's Holiness and Transcendance
{9b} 'Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name. 

Seek The Fulfillment of God's Master Plan First
{10a} We ask that your kingdom will come now. 

Seek His will for your Life
{10b} May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. 

Acknowledge God as the source of your provision
{11} Give us our food again today, as usual, 

Clear up any un-confessed sin
{12a} and forgive us our sins, 

Forgive others so you may be forgiven
{12b} just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.

Ask God to warn you of temptation
 {13a} Don't bring us into temptation,

Ask God for power over Satan's trickery
 {13b} but deliver us from the Evil One.

So let it be done, according to God's will.
{13c}  Amen.' 

Your forgiveness depends on your willingness to forgive others
{14} Your heavenly Father will forgive you 
if you forgive those who sin against you; 
{15} but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Answers to prayer may involve suffering, trust and obedience
{7} Yet while Christ was here on earth he pleaded with God, 
praying with tears and agony of soul 
to the only one who would save him from (premature) death.
And God heard his prayers
 because of his strong desire to obey God at all times. 
{8} And even though Jesus was God's Son, 
he had to learn from experience what it was like 
to obey when obeying meant suffering. 
Heb 5:7-8 (TLB) 

 {16} Rejoice evermore. 
{17} Pray without ceasing. 
{18} In every thing give thanks: 
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Th 5:16-18 (KJV)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS
ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily  free of COST)
Feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want...
Be careful to observe copyright information where appropriate...
Please submit all questions, comments, suggestions, or requests for subscriptions to
ixtheus@execpc.com

Request a free copy of my evangelistic presentation:
"The God Who is Really There"
from  ixtheus@execpc.com

God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><
 

If you have comments or questions, email me at ixtheus@execpc.com