Daily Prayer_November 18, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 18:10 (HCSB)
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 30:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Sing to Yahweh, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. ⁵ For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶ "Whenever you fast, don't be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They've got their reward! ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you don't show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

My observation:

Today we conclude our focus on the teaching of Jesus concerning the subjects of giving, praying, and fasting. In contrast to how the Pharisees did these things, Jesus emphasized secret giving, praying, and fasting.  The Pharisees did each for the eyes of other people. What Jesus said about fasting in today's focal passage, he also said about giving and praying.

Matthew 6:4 (HCSB)
so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 (HCSB)
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that my giving, praying, and fasting will be acceptable in your eyes. Father, I want to be like Jesus in everything I say and in everything I do. Lord, my aim is for thy will to become my will.

Psalm 19:14 (HCSB)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

My song:

Take My Life, and Let It be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee (Click on link below for the lyrics and to listen):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/445

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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.