Prayer!

For Sunday, August 25, 2024:

Matthew 6:5 NLT: “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.”

Interestingly, in the original language, hypocrite refers to an actor, someone pretending to be something they are not. In this case, that someone is pretending to be deeply religious, but it’s all just a show, an attempt to appear more pious than they actually are. Jesus teaches that there’s no reward in that.

The truth is that God knows your heart. He knows what you deep-down believe. God already knows your level of sincerity.

Your prayer should be based on your friendship, your relationship with God. He wants nothing but the best for you! Be honest; be straightforward. Keep it simple. It’s just the two of you – you and God. It shouldn’t be a show for anyone else.

By the way, we don’t get extra points for using more words!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Prayer!

For Thursday, August 19, 2021

Proverbs 15:29 NLT: “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.”

Actually, God is everywhere! He’s not trying to hide! But the wicked choose to separate themselves from God.

Jesus condemned the prayers of hypocrites, because they’re insincere. But God looks forward to hearing heartfelt prayers from humble believers praying honestly. God is always listening, hears our prayers and answers, which gives us hope!

It the wicked would repent, they would then be righteous.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406