Week 7 Wrap-up

There are a lot of points to be made in these verses so feel free to add to my comments.  

Giving, prayer and fasting are essential disciplines of our faith.   Christ is clearly concerned about how we practice these disciplines and what motivates us.  Giving should be inspired by God and from an overflow his love that is within us.  It is an act of obedience seeking to please Him.  See Galatians 6:6-10.  If we sow to please the Spirit we will reap spiritual rewards.  

Prayer is something that I struggle with on a daily basis.  Usually it is the first thing that gets pushed aside when life gets busy.  Often I pray out of duty or desperation.   This is not necessarily bad but in those situations it usually leads to self directed prayer.  I thrust my own interests to the forefront.  It is more about me and less about having a conversation with God. 

How would my prayers change if I was truly focused on Christ as my audience?  Certainly I would see it more as a privilege than a duty.  It is an opportunity to glorify Him, seek forgiveness, listen to Him and know His will for me.  This does not exclude your own needs.  In fact, He encourages us to pray for daily needs. It is also an opportunity to pray for others, placing their needs before mine.    

Is prayer a duty or a privilege for you?  What are the barriers that are keeping you from spending time in prayer?  Are your prayers directed toward yourself or toward God?   Are your prayers for the benefit of those watching or hearing, or is your focus on God as your audience.

Fasting is another important spiritual discipline which can be misunderstood.  In the OT fasting was part of mourning and repentance for sin.  In the NT fasting was used to set aside the distractions of life while waiting on Him to reveal his will.   Christ is concerned with the motives of fasting.  The purpose should be to seek a clear direction from him and draw closer to him.  If you are seeking input from God, then put aside one of the distractions in your life and use that time praying or studying the bible.  This could be fasting for a time from “things” like TV or the internet.  I will admit this is not a natural thing for me to do.  Fasting does not seem to fit into the reality of life but notice that Christ says “when” you fast not “if” you fast.  The expectation is that His followers will seek direction from Him through fasting and prayer.

Tom’s words about narcissism are appropriate.  We can be so wrapped up in ourselves that we don’t even recognize that our motives may be misguided.  Are you seeking an audience with God when you pray? Do give to the needy out of love that overflows from God and without desiring recognition for your good deeds?  Are you seeking to please your own ego and seek the recognition of men or are you seeking to please God?