Keeping in mind that the Apostle Paul when he spoke of the “latter times” meant the times from the beginning of the church until the Lord returns to judge the earth, we look at most of them as history today. We have the ability to look back over the recorded history of man and to see that what he said was true, and is even more so today. A news paper or news presentation on either radio or television is like reading the fulfillment of these words One can not deny that faith is under the attack of seducing spirits that speak lies as glibly, and perhaps more often than truth. In the book written to the Romans we are told that faith cometh of hearing and hearing of the Word of God. That being so, how many people bother to read for themselves from the Word. Most are content to permit someone else explain the Scriptures for them. The Ethiopian invited Philip to sit with him in his chariot and explain what he was reading, but how many people are willing to do that today?
I am a believer in blogging, but I must confess that as I read an exchange of comments in a blog recently, I was sickened at both the comments and the replies. Both were in error, neither turned to the Word of God the Father. The Christian’s marching orders are to “teach all nations whatsoever I have commanded you.” Don’t ignore the words, “whatsoever I have commanded you.” Paul refers back to this in verses six and seven below. Compressing the thought, a good teacher, knows the words “of faith and good doctrine,” refusing “old wives fables.” He is confident of his faith, because it is the result of his knowledge of the Word of God. He shares it, because that is what a Christian does.
Because he knows the Word, he recognizes and rejects false doctrines
1 Timothy 4:1-11
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
Paul points out that bodily exercise is good, but there is something that is far more important. At the age of eighty, my wife and I both try to go to the exercise room daily in our community where we use the stationary cycle for a simulated hilly five miles, and I set the machines for fifty pounds resistance and do about a dozen various arm, chest, and leg exercises. These take perhaps a half an hour, but the really important appointment, the one we start the day with, is our early morning walk in the open, topped off by our morning reading and devotional time with the Lord.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
(KJV)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
EVEN OUR DOG KNOWS HOW TO PRAY
She knows who loves her and cares for her.
Every domestic animal knows where to go to find food and water. It may be simply a time of the day. In the afternoon the cattle all start their way in from the pasture. It may be the sound of the refrigerator door opening, or the whirr of the can opener, but the cats are right there rubbing the leg of their benefactor. Peaches knew who loved her. They all came to their provider every day. Jesus said, “Pray without ceasing.*”
She knew exactly where to go.
to the right place, God said, “Go to your inner room, shut the door, and there pray to God alone.*” Too often we don’t shut out the things of the world. We leave the television and radio going, or perhaps those are off, they do have off buttons you know, but we don’t shut the world out of our minds, even in the content of the prayer itself. How many times has our prayer been mostly, “Please God.” How infrequently, “Praise be to you Father,” “Thank you God,” “Hallellujah,” “What would you have me do?”
She knew to catch and hold her god’s full attention. She would come, sit up “eye to eye” in front of him and then to put her paws together in a beseeching attitude, perhaps adding a little “yip” if she was not being noticed sufficiently. Too often we like Peter, as Jesus was facing his coming crucifixion, fall asleep. We have God’s attention, let us give Him ours.
* Please note, the scriptures are paraphrased.
Friday, July 18, 2008
THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA, IS IT TODAY’S CHURCH FORETOLD?
Some people never read the book of Revelation, saying that it is too difficult, but there are portions that cannot be more clear. They are missing the blessing of God given through John who wrote:
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is the hand.” Revelation 1:3.
If you make a habit of following a “through the Bible in one year reading guide,” such as the one we include in our weekly mailings, you will read Revelation through every year, and you will be greatly blessed even if there are parts that it is best not to be dogmatic in your interpretion.
I used to have in my library a book written by the founder of a highly respected American Bible College. He felt that the letters to the seven churches of Asia were symbolic of the church universal’s condition in seven periods through the ages from Pentecost to the return of Christ. Whether or not that is the case may or may not be so, but two of the seven churches do stand out, and they are the final two in the series. The church at Philadelphia stands tall being the only one of the seven that has no negative criticism. The last one, Laodicea has grown cold and self satisfied. Even though it has some who are faithful. Let us look at it a little closer. If it represents the church at the time of the Lord’s second coming, studying it should tell us why he comes just then, assuming the order has been chronologically arranged. That may or may not be so. Even if it is not, the Laodicean church has much to teach us.
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wreched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.
Sadly, this text describes a lukewarm church which thinks herself blessed, rich, and very active, but is blind that so much of this activity is of the world, material, and not of God, spiritual. It is blind to its own nakedness, something like the emperor in the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” In five of the other churches, He calls for the church to repent, but notice that in this case repentance is directed to the individual members (any man). Because He loves, he does not give up on the individuals, but one gets the impression that He has given up on the church as a body and is determined to save from it the genuine, repentant individuals, whom He will bless with the invitation to sit with Him on his own throne.
How could the church go from the blessed Philadelphia church to this in so short a time? Through neglect of the Word, the source of faith, Neglect the Word and Prayer, and the fire of Faith goes out. The fire goes out, and the faith become lukewarm like the cup of coffee abandoned on the breakfast table. Faith comes of hearing the word, so don’t let anything come between you are your devotion time!
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is the hand.” Revelation 1:3.
If you make a habit of following a “through the Bible in one year reading guide,” such as the one we include in our weekly mailings, you will read Revelation through every year, and you will be greatly blessed even if there are parts that it is best not to be dogmatic in your interpretion.
I used to have in my library a book written by the founder of a highly respected American Bible College. He felt that the letters to the seven churches of Asia were symbolic of the church universal’s condition in seven periods through the ages from Pentecost to the return of Christ. Whether or not that is the case may or may not be so, but two of the seven churches do stand out, and they are the final two in the series. The church at Philadelphia stands tall being the only one of the seven that has no negative criticism. The last one, Laodicea has grown cold and self satisfied. Even though it has some who are faithful. Let us look at it a little closer. If it represents the church at the time of the Lord’s second coming, studying it should tell us why he comes just then, assuming the order has been chronologically arranged. That may or may not be so. Even if it is not, the Laodicean church has much to teach us.
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wreched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.
Sadly, this text describes a lukewarm church which thinks herself blessed, rich, and very active, but is blind that so much of this activity is of the world, material, and not of God, spiritual. It is blind to its own nakedness, something like the emperor in the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” In five of the other churches, He calls for the church to repent, but notice that in this case repentance is directed to the individual members (any man). Because He loves, he does not give up on the individuals, but one gets the impression that He has given up on the church as a body and is determined to save from it the genuine, repentant individuals, whom He will bless with the invitation to sit with Him on his own throne.
How could the church go from the blessed Philadelphia church to this in so short a time? Through neglect of the Word, the source of faith, Neglect the Word and Prayer, and the fire of Faith goes out. The fire goes out, and the faith become lukewarm like the cup of coffee abandoned on the breakfast table. Faith comes of hearing the word, so don’t let anything come between you are your devotion time!
Monday, July 14, 2008
YOU ARE A TEACHER
WHETHER YOU PLANNED TO BE, OR NOT
A paraphrased portion of the Great Commission, ”As you go, teach all nations,” comes to mind when we read today’s text, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Good teaching is always like a “two-way street.” The communication goes both ways. There can be a question plus an answer, or there can be a discussion of what has just been presented, but our text continues, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:6-10.
Our prayers are perfect examples of this as well. Returning to the illustration of the street that flows both ways with traffic, we pray toGod and he answers back tous. Any time that we teach another, there is that sort of exchange. The one whom we are teaching, probably also knows us and how well we are living up to what we teach. There is an old saying, “I cannot hear you, because your actions speak louder than your words.” God, knows us even better than we know ourselves. He has instructed, “As you go, teach.” He meant teach by what you say, but also by what you do. That kind of teaching cannot fail to make an impression.
Everyone is sowing something. Some are teaching a message of materialism. That is rampant today. A better address, a more impressive house, a bigger car, a swimming pool, and expensive clothing: these are all material things. One cannot take any of them with him to heaven. The museums of the world are filled with such things left behind by the wealthy of the world. That is what is meant when the text says, “he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” Those things shall all be destroyed, when this world and all that it contains, is destroyed by fire.
In direct contrast, “he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Our Lord is even now putting the final touches on that new world, prepared for his family to occupy forever.
Whether we want to be or not, we are all teachers. This world’s teachers all teach a material god, but God has given a mandate that His teachers, all Christians, must teach a spiritual message. He and his will live eternally in a spiritual heaven.
He urges us on when we grow weary. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What is this, “if we faint not?” Fainting is a physical thing. If you have ever watched a marathon with thousands of participants, you know that many hundreds never finish. Their physical bodies just cannot take the strain. He is saying in effect, Keep your mind on the goal; think on spiritual things. Don’t turn back to the old ways and old goals. The one who faints, is the one who turned back or dropped out of the race.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
A paraphrased portion of the Great Commission, ”As you go, teach all nations,” comes to mind when we read today’s text, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Good teaching is always like a “two-way street.” The communication goes both ways. There can be a question plus an answer, or there can be a discussion of what has just been presented, but our text continues, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:6-10.
Our prayers are perfect examples of this as well. Returning to the illustration of the street that flows both ways with traffic, we pray toGod and he answers back tous. Any time that we teach another, there is that sort of exchange. The one whom we are teaching, probably also knows us and how well we are living up to what we teach. There is an old saying, “I cannot hear you, because your actions speak louder than your words.” God, knows us even better than we know ourselves. He has instructed, “As you go, teach.” He meant teach by what you say, but also by what you do. That kind of teaching cannot fail to make an impression.
Everyone is sowing something. Some are teaching a message of materialism. That is rampant today. A better address, a more impressive house, a bigger car, a swimming pool, and expensive clothing: these are all material things. One cannot take any of them with him to heaven. The museums of the world are filled with such things left behind by the wealthy of the world. That is what is meant when the text says, “he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” Those things shall all be destroyed, when this world and all that it contains, is destroyed by fire.
In direct contrast, “he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Our Lord is even now putting the final touches on that new world, prepared for his family to occupy forever.
Whether we want to be or not, we are all teachers. This world’s teachers all teach a material god, but God has given a mandate that His teachers, all Christians, must teach a spiritual message. He and his will live eternally in a spiritual heaven.
He urges us on when we grow weary. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What is this, “if we faint not?” Fainting is a physical thing. If you have ever watched a marathon with thousands of participants, you know that many hundreds never finish. Their physical bodies just cannot take the strain. He is saying in effect, Keep your mind on the goal; think on spiritual things. Don’t turn back to the old ways and old goals. The one who faints, is the one who turned back or dropped out of the race.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
DRESSED FOR THE WEDDING FEAST
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:1-4.
Having been a sailor at the end of World War II, there were a few times, times of great celebration, when we held “open house” and the public was invited aboard our ship, the flagship of the fleet. At such times, the Admiral was on board. We were always at the dock side when this happened, and everything had to be in perfect condition. The ship was dressed like a Christmas tree. Signal flags stretched the length of the ship from stem to stern. Actually, I do not recall having ever seen then at any other time. I was usually stationed in the CIC where it was our assignment to find and track any aircraft in the area on radar and pass along the bearing, altitude, and speed to our anti-aircraft gun emplacements.
How the new Jerusalem will be prepared “like a bride adorned for her husband” will appear, I do not know, but I picture every signal flag flying, perhaps surrounded by a gigantic rainbow. Light everywhere, not from lamps, but from God himself. I picture all that light reflecting off the precious jewels that make up the foundations of the new Jerusalem, and the gigantic pearls that form it‘s gates.. How can anyone not long to be there? Three places in chapter 22, John records the words of Jesus, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”,“behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” and finally, “Surely I come quickly.” and then our prayer in response, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” It can not be too quick.
What a glorious time, what a magnificent sight, and to be a part of it all. “Come Lord Jesus!”
Since there will be no sadness, and no tears in heaven, I can only presume that all memories of earth, families and friends that we know here, will have to have been erased, and that we no longer think of those we know and love there as husband, wife, children, grandchildren, brothers or sisters. They will all have come to be fellow children of God, brothers and sisters in the Lord, and we will be so thrilled with what is there that the things of earth will just have faded away.
Having been a sailor at the end of World War II, there were a few times, times of great celebration, when we held “open house” and the public was invited aboard our ship, the flagship of the fleet. At such times, the Admiral was on board. We were always at the dock side when this happened, and everything had to be in perfect condition. The ship was dressed like a Christmas tree. Signal flags stretched the length of the ship from stem to stern. Actually, I do not recall having ever seen then at any other time. I was usually stationed in the CIC where it was our assignment to find and track any aircraft in the area on radar and pass along the bearing, altitude, and speed to our anti-aircraft gun emplacements.
How the new Jerusalem will be prepared “like a bride adorned for her husband” will appear, I do not know, but I picture every signal flag flying, perhaps surrounded by a gigantic rainbow. Light everywhere, not from lamps, but from God himself. I picture all that light reflecting off the precious jewels that make up the foundations of the new Jerusalem, and the gigantic pearls that form it‘s gates.. How can anyone not long to be there? Three places in chapter 22, John records the words of Jesus, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”,“behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” and finally, “Surely I come quickly.” and then our prayer in response, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” It can not be too quick.
What a glorious time, what a magnificent sight, and to be a part of it all. “Come Lord Jesus!”
Since there will be no sadness, and no tears in heaven, I can only presume that all memories of earth, families and friends that we know here, will have to have been erased, and that we no longer think of those we know and love there as husband, wife, children, grandchildren, brothers or sisters. They will all have come to be fellow children of God, brothers and sisters in the Lord, and we will be so thrilled with what is there that the things of earth will just have faded away.
Monday, July 7, 2008
LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY
The book of Luke gives us a shorter version of this prayer, Luke 11, often called “The Lord’s Prayer.” Luke also introduces it with the information that it was given at the request of one of the apostles, a fact that Matthew omits. Prayer is as essential to a Christian well being as breathing is to life itself.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Matthew 6:9-13:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The apostles had often seen and heard the Lord pray, and they knew how important prayer was. They had seen the Pharisees praying on the street corners, and at the Synagogue and the Temple. Just as there was a difference in the teaching of Jesus, there was also a difference in his prayers.
When we follow his teaching on prayer, we do need to keep in mind some of the background circumstances. We need to remember that at the time of this instruction, Jesus and the apostles were living under the Old Covenant. Just as he gave them a few pointers, it is good that we note them as well. The exact wording of this prayer is perhas no longer appropriate for Christians. First he told them, don’t pray like the Pharisees. They prayed to be seen of men, on the street corner, in the temple, or in the Synagogue. He said, “they pray to be seen of men.” and that is exactly what they got. For the same reason, they also wore special garments which set themselves apart from others. I was once a guest in a worship service in which the minister led the services wearing what seemed to me, an amazing crocheted white robe worn over a white lining. He wore it with a clerical collar, and with shoes which had the appearance of being something to be worn in a factory. He certainly accomplished his purpose if it was that he might stand out as being different from other men. Secondly, Jesus told then to go to an inner room to pray. This is so that they could pray privately, without interruption, with the heavenly Father. Some of our African brethren take this so literally, that they close the doors so that no one can either enter or leave the room during the prayers. No matter how hot the sun may be and how low the unlined metal roof is, they also close any windows and pray long prayers, kneeling if there is room or standing if the room is heavily packed with people. Third, note that this is not a long prayer, there is no repetition, nor are there repeated phrases, such as "O,God" several times in a sentence. Jesus said not to use “vain repetitions.” Why not? Because our Father knows what we need. He knows and understands fully. We do not have to plead with him. It is the heathen man who thinks he must pray on and on like the pagan priests who spent the entire day praying, slashing themselves with knives, and shouting to their gods, whereas Elijah’s prayer was to the point, and confident. He knew God heard and would answer. God wants us to have that kind of faith and confidence in Him. Address your prayers simply to “Our Heavenly Father, in Jesus name.”
Here, because this was before Pentecost, and the church Kingdom had not yet come, the line “thy kingdom come” could be changed to praise for the church, and the fact that we now seek to do his will here as it is done in Heaven. And will be for ever. We should give thanks for our daily needs, food, clothing, and housing. We should be able to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, really meaning it,” keeping in mind that this demands a forgiving spirit. The requests of verse thirteen are as applicable to us as they were to those who lived under the Old Covenant.
It is personal. It is not lengthy. It is not obscure. It is not filled with repetition. Our personal prayers are between us and our Father. Our public prayers are on behalf of all present, therefore all must be able to say “Amen,” So be it.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Matthew 6:9-13:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The apostles had often seen and heard the Lord pray, and they knew how important prayer was. They had seen the Pharisees praying on the street corners, and at the Synagogue and the Temple. Just as there was a difference in the teaching of Jesus, there was also a difference in his prayers.
When we follow his teaching on prayer, we do need to keep in mind some of the background circumstances. We need to remember that at the time of this instruction, Jesus and the apostles were living under the Old Covenant. Just as he gave them a few pointers, it is good that we note them as well. The exact wording of this prayer is perhas no longer appropriate for Christians. First he told them, don’t pray like the Pharisees. They prayed to be seen of men, on the street corner, in the temple, or in the Synagogue. He said, “they pray to be seen of men.” and that is exactly what they got. For the same reason, they also wore special garments which set themselves apart from others. I was once a guest in a worship service in which the minister led the services wearing what seemed to me, an amazing crocheted white robe worn over a white lining. He wore it with a clerical collar, and with shoes which had the appearance of being something to be worn in a factory. He certainly accomplished his purpose if it was that he might stand out as being different from other men. Secondly, Jesus told then to go to an inner room to pray. This is so that they could pray privately, without interruption, with the heavenly Father. Some of our African brethren take this so literally, that they close the doors so that no one can either enter or leave the room during the prayers. No matter how hot the sun may be and how low the unlined metal roof is, they also close any windows and pray long prayers, kneeling if there is room or standing if the room is heavily packed with people. Third, note that this is not a long prayer, there is no repetition, nor are there repeated phrases, such as "O,God" several times in a sentence. Jesus said not to use “vain repetitions.” Why not? Because our Father knows what we need. He knows and understands fully. We do not have to plead with him. It is the heathen man who thinks he must pray on and on like the pagan priests who spent the entire day praying, slashing themselves with knives, and shouting to their gods, whereas Elijah’s prayer was to the point, and confident. He knew God heard and would answer. God wants us to have that kind of faith and confidence in Him. Address your prayers simply to “Our Heavenly Father, in Jesus name.”
Here, because this was before Pentecost, and the church Kingdom had not yet come, the line “thy kingdom come” could be changed to praise for the church, and the fact that we now seek to do his will here as it is done in Heaven. And will be for ever. We should give thanks for our daily needs, food, clothing, and housing. We should be able to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, really meaning it,” keeping in mind that this demands a forgiving spirit. The requests of verse thirteen are as applicable to us as they were to those who lived under the Old Covenant.
It is personal. It is not lengthy. It is not obscure. It is not filled with repetition. Our personal prayers are between us and our Father. Our public prayers are on behalf of all present, therefore all must be able to say “Amen,” So be it.
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