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  Heavens  reckoning of our Praying.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt.6:7).

Prayers are not to be merely recited, nor are our words to be repeated thoughtlessly, or as if they were automatic formulas.

They are not to be" Vain Repetitions " (v7). Many religions believe that by repeating the same prayer-hundreds of times they will be heard for their much speaking. The Lord here says (v. 8), "Be not like unto them"; and He gave a model of acceptable prayer.

In these verses there is also brevity  

“That our prayer life is to be constrained by certain conditions”

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt.6:12)

 (A). “Forgive us our debts

”The parallel passage in Luke 11:4 uses the word that means “sins” so that in context, spiritual debts are intended. Sinners are debtors to God for their violations of His laws This request is the heart of the prayer, it is what Jesus stressed in the words that immediately follow the prayer  v14-15

There are two areas of divine forgiveness

The 1st area is that of the forgiveness that comes to the sinner at the time of justification and deals with the guilt if his sins in a total sense. (Eph.1:7)

To this forgiveness there is attached but one condition. I.e. to receive it once for all by faith in Christ (Rom. 4:5-8)

The 2nd area covers the relation of the divine Father to those who have become His children and deals specifically with the matter of fellowship whenever it is broken by sin. (1John 1:9, Psalm 66:18, Prov. 28:13)

To obtain such forgiveness we must confess and forsake sin

The problem raised by the conditional nature of this petition for forgiveness may be explained  in the fully developed doctrine of Christian salvation

(B). “Lead us not into temptation”  

God does not tempt men (Jas.1:13)  but will subject them to trials that may expose them to Satan’s assaults, as in the case of Job and Peter

James reminds us in  (Ch.1:12-13) “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him”

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempt he any man.

The primary meaning is usually that of proving by testing or testing under trial

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled you Eve through his craftiness, so your mind should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2Cor.11:3)

The Christian Pilgrim in his walk and especially in the area of his prayer life will inevitably lead to engage with opposition and Spiritual resistance of Satan and his hosts.

Thus as a spirit filled warrior he must continually “be strong” he must strengthen himself with the armour provided for him.  (Eph. 6:10-12).

Next Page - Lessons to be learned. In God’ School  of   Prayer

Living in God’s Kingdom- - Study Three

The True  Work of the Citizen of the

Kingdom of God

God’s School of Prayer -

Lord teach us to pray (Luke 11:1)

Studies on The Sermon on the Mount  in Matthew Ch’s, 5-7  

After this manner therefore pray ye:

 Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.