Seven Characteristic Elements of the Lord's Prayer

Seven characteristic elements taught to us by the Lord in what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer and which should be present in our prayers when praying individually or collectively. These characteristic elements are: Intimacy, Reverence, Confession, Forgiveness, Deliverance, Dependence, & Thankfulness.

Many recite the Lord's Prayer as though this is what the Lord instructed. Although if we read carefully we will find that He said; "in this manner, therefore pray:" Matthew 6:9-15

The sixth chapter of Matthew is entirely on prayer and how to and how not to pray yet it is also a firm rebuke of religious ostentation.

The meaning of the word Ostentation is:

1. An outward show or appearance. 2. A display of any thing dictated by vanity, or intended to invite praise or flattery. 3. A show or spectacle. 4. That which would cause sinful selfish pride to arise.

The Lord spent considerable time on the subject of prayer and we should also. Prayer done in wrong manner will cause others around to lose their liberty to pray publicly if there is a false sense of heartfelt sincerity in the prayers of others. If those with whom we pray give long winded, all inclusive prayers which come across as displaying their personal memory ability of the scriptures rather than that of the heart, it becomes a clanging banging noise to others and such that others are unable to clearly and honestly say Amen to these type of prayers. Our prayers are never meant to display our holiness because the act of prayer in itself is supposed to be an act of humility and submission to the Lord on our part. The Lord knows the scriptures He is the author of them, so quoting these scriptures to Him is of no need to Him. Outwardly the only one who can benefit from this type or praying is the one saying them. The question then begs to be asked what does one gain and is this a sign of holiness and humility or the contrary unholy and full of pride. The Lord wants to know the desires of our hearts. He wants to hear from us in an intimate way as we do in a relationship with someone. The seven elements mentioned above. When you go into a closet and pray just you and Him do you quote the scriptures to Him? or do you converse with Him on those things of which He is interested and has asked us to pray for in our daily prayers. Read the entire chapter, then consider the way you pray, and see if this meets His standard for prayer and whether we have a character which truly is one which is submissive and humble.

The Earthly Parents of Jesus Christ

Just thinking about Mary & Joseph the earthly parents of Jesus & how much of a blessing He must have been to them, always going about His Heavenly Father's business & not giving His Earthly parents a moments grief.

The Possible Reasons for the Lack of Individual & Corporate Gospel Outreach

It is interesting to read that the first act of our Lord after His resurrection toward the apostles was to reproach them. "Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Mk 16:14

Then in the very next verse He makes this command of them. "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mk 16:15 Is it unbelief that keeps us sitting around, talking about it, even ministrying on the subject yet remaining idle. Does not the Lord give us ample opportunities to speak to lost souls on a daily basis? Can we really say, we have no opportunities?

Or...is the issue that we are ashamed? Or that we don't love the lost? Or that we are just too afraid? If we value the Lord as much as we say we do and we truly understand what has been done in our own lives can we say we truly love the Lord and the lost if we let them go on the merry way to damnation?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Lost Souls

Was just pondering how many souls eternally perish while we sit and do nothing; then try to justify our actions by saying things like; its not my gift, or its not my exercise, or its the end times? I am so happy the brother who spoke to me about the Lord didn't think this way. Repentance is not just for the unsaved. The seven churches were told they needed to repent also. Are we really good and faithful servants? Umm

The arm chair Evangelists who themselves do nothing regarding lost souls or the edification of saints are always telling true Evangelists, Teachers, Pastors and saints what the Lord's will is for them, as if they alone know His will. The same, tell them, where to go and even how they want them to do things, yet doing absolutely nothing themselves (except interfering and medaling) and are always questioning the service & exercises of others.

The Lord is the giver of exercises, gifts, and blessings to all true saints. If you want slavery again one can just go back to religion. There is enough slavery there to even prevent souls from knowing they need to be saved let alone get saved. The pride of those who have hijacked Christianity is the same pride which lets them think that only they can know the Lord's will. What saith the Scriptures. O Lord Help Us!