48. Lord's Prayer

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[hanks]

1. What concepts about a father are we to attribute to God? Which ones don't fit Him very well? What is so astounding about the fact that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father? 
We are children of God by adoption; we are part of His family and He is our Father. Our Heavenly Father is an all loving all caring perfect father who disciplines us out of love, and who only wants the best for us. I feel that initially most earthly fathers strive for the same, but unfortunately due to circumstances or wrong relationships, fail to attain it. Regrettably many people have only known selfish, self-centred fathers who cared little for their well-being. Who may have been a derelict, a drunkard, a dope addict, or some other distorted person who wrought havoc with their personalities in early childhood. Jesus tells us to address our Heavenly Father in a childlike, trustful, and intimate way as a little child would to its father. This was astounding to the Jews as no one had ever ventured to use it in addressing God before. 
 

[hanks]

2. What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray? 
We honour our Father when we try our very best to live sinless lives. When we live a life of obedience to His Word. When there is a longing in our hearts that He should be reverenced, magnified, and adored. When we have a loving relationship with Jesus, His Son, and we acknowledge Him in everything we do. When there’s a commitment to honour God’s holy name. No profanities – never use our Lord’s name in vain. We desecrate and besmirch His name when we live in sin, and in disobedience to Him. When we use His name in a profane and common way. The way most Hollywood films use it. It’s almost impossible to watch a film today where they do not use our Lord’s name in vain. Even to using it together with the “F” word. Most disgusting. We honour our Father by beginning our prayers with worship, ascribing praise and honour to Him who is so worthy of it. 
 

[hanks]

3. In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? How should this prayer affect our living? 
We are praying that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ should come soon and reign supreme over the earth, and destroy all the forces of evil. Then He will set up His kingdom on earth and reign in righteousness. What a day that will be! Since God’s kingdom is already present in Christ’s reign in believers’ hearts (Luke 17:21), we should be living as obedient servants of Christ. Jesus had come to earth as Messiah and had performed His miracles, and had presented His credentials for all to see. Meaning that the kingdom of God is already in our midst, among us, and is growing, and we are praying to be part of building this kingdom. His kingdom will be complete when all evil is destroyed and God establishes the new heaven and earth (Rev 21:1). Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
 

[hanks]

4. Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves? 
We don’t want to be dependent on anyone, for whatever reason. Because of pride we hesitate to ask anyone for help. If we do, it will only be when we are rock bottom with no resources of our own. We view this help as a form of begging and admitting our inability to help self. We seek to be independent of God thinking we can do it ourselves, we don’t need Him, forgetting who gave us this ability in the first instance. It is a misconception to think that we provide for our needs ourselves. We should ask God to “give us each day our daily bread”, because by doing this, we are acknowledging God as our Sustainer and provider. Jesus is teaching us to pray for our daily personal needs and desires. We should never forget we are living in daily dependence upon Him, acknowledging Him as the source of every good. There is the ever-recurring need for food, both physical and spiritual, and there may come a time when we will not be able to earn a living and may become fully dependent on His goodness, grace, and mercy. 
 

[hanks]

5. Why should we continually ask forgiveness? Does the Father really forgive the sins we've asked forgiveness for? Must the same sins be forgiven again later? 
We should continually ask forgiveness, because when we were saved, all our sins – past, present, and future – were forgiven, but while we are being sanctified, while we are still here on earth, we continue to sin. Yes, our Heavenly Father does forgive our sins. To remain in fellowship with our Father we are to ask Him forgiveness for all our known sins. Not only for the things we have done, but also for the things we haven’t done and should have done. When we do this, we can claim the promise that God is faithful and just to forgive. Meaning that He is faithful in the sense that He has promised to forgive and will abide by His promise. If we repeatedly commit the same sin, asking for forgiveness time and time again, we should question our true repentance. I doubt whether we are truly saved, since we are making a mockery of our Lord and His grace and mercy shown to us. There must be true remorse and a concerted effort not to repeat that sin, in other words true repentance. 
 

[hanks]

6. How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Doesn't the fact that our forgiveness requires our forgiving others really a subtle form of "works righteousness"? 
Once we are saved, God will deal with us as His children and any unforgiveness on our part, will result in Him chastising us until we are brought back into fellowship with Himself. Our unforgiveness will definitely block God’s forgiveness. We cannot expect God to hear our prayers of forgiveness to be heard, if we pray with malice and spite in our hearts towards others. This would be the height of hypocrisy. No, it does not mean that we must earn God’s forgiveness with our own forgiveness of others. It is definitely not a form of works righteousness, but rather it shows our gratitude for being forgiven by the Lord, and is a sign of genuine repentance. 
 

[hanks]

7. Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically? 
We need to acknowledge the weakness and sinfulness of our hearts, and if God were to abandon us to our own tempting circumstances, we would fall immediately into sin. For this reason, we need His help and involvement. The best way to handle the situation is to flee from any temptation, and ask God to help us actively resist and to keep us from sinning. God is faithful, and He will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear (1 Cor 10:13). He has also promised that He will provide a way of escape. We must remember, in the moment of severe temptation, to call upon the name of the Lord, and He will preserve you from sinning (Prov 18:10). The Lord is a place of refuge and protection for those who put their trust in Him. No, we cannot expect God to deliver us from sins automatically. Each person is responsible for their own sin, and we cannot blame God. Sin comes from within us, from our old, evil, fallen, unregenerate nature. In Matt 15:19 Jesus said “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander”. God tests people, but He does not tempt them by trying to seduce them to sin. God allows Satan to tempt people, however, in order to refine their faith and to help them grow in their dependence on Christ. We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God for strength and choosing to obey His Word. 
 

[Irmela]

1. What concepts about a father are we to attribute to God? Which ones don't fit him very well? What is so astounding about the fact that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father?

A father is one who cares for his family holistically.  He takes the role of responsibility for their welfare which includes the discipline. He has fellowship with his children (he interacts with them). He has authority over his family (not with an iron fist). The family usually honors him with obedience and respect. 

(unfortunately even with seemingly perfect earthly fathers you get children who are prodigals) 

{God blessed us with a wonderful father. I have no problem of seeing God in this role} 

A role often taken over by the mother is protecting the children when there is a crises (in a hands-on way) and the father takes on a role of protecting the whole family in a 'distant' way. (Call to take turns to protect the community) The father is then absent from the home but fulfilling a duty to protect the family from a distance. [This indeed is the picture of the hen protecting her chickens under her wings]. 

Another way where the mother takes part of the responsibility on her shoulders is teaching the children. They are more with her during the day and the talking, crawling, walking etc will be mostly taught by her. But come the sports stuff, bicycle riding, fishing, etc again actually in total a shared responsibility. [Here one can get the picture of the eagle catching the young on her pinions] 

The concept of looking to God as my father was not difficult. 

Jesus often communicated with God in prayer. We are allowed to do the same. He does not want us to be distant from Him but wants a close relationship with us. 

 

 

 

 

[Irmela]

2.  What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray?

If we live a life set apart from sin, we show respect and honour to God. 

Using His name as a swear word, we debase it and make it to be common. By doing this to His Name it is doing it to Him as a Being. We are slandering and besmirching Him. 

We are to worship Him and acknowledge Him as being holy. 

[Irmela]

3.  In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? How should this prayer affect our living?

We ask Him to manifest His power and glory. Just as when Jesus proclaimed God's reign He preached good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, sight for the blind, release/deliverance for the oppressed, the crushed and downtrodden by calamity and proclaimed the acceptable yr of the Lord. 

We should live as though the Lord's return is imminent. 

[Irmela]

4.  Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?

I guess the thought or feeling is there that we can take care of our own needs. To ask for help in anyway is almost like showing a weakness and proving that we are helpless. 

We cannot be independent of God. (I do not seek that) 

Without His help we would not have the ability to earn a living or provide for anyone's needs. We are dependent on Him be it whichever way food is supplied, be it through a gift or bought with ones own means. 

Then there is also the scenario where the food needed is not available. With unrests etc the shelves are empty of needed provisions. So even if money is available the food might not be. 

So whichever way you look at things it is important to look to God as our source to supply our daily needs and thank Him in whichever way He provides. 

[Irmela]

5. Why should we continually ask forgiveness? Does the Father really forgive the sins we've asked forgiveness for? Must the same sins be forgiven again later?

We need to ask forgiveness as soon as we become aware that we have committed a sin. Also as soon as we are aware that we have not done what we should have done. In this way we stay in fellowship with God. Yes, Christ has paid the penalty and forgiveness is there for the taking as it were. 

If the sin is committed again we need to come for forgiveness again. Maybe it is a stronghold that needs to be broken down. We are encouraged in the Word to "confess our sins one to another for the prayers of a righteous man availeth much". This I believe and have experienced to be so, especially in cases where a sin is easily often repeated. It's like not getting victory over it. 

After that it is definately easier to overcome. But cofession is vitally important. 

[Irmela]

6. How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Doesn't the fact that our forgiveness requires our forgiving others really a subtle form of "works righteousness"?

If there is unforgiveness on our part that means there is more still there. Either bitterness or anger or resentment. These are things that we need to confess or repent from. By getting rid of them, by confession, we find we have also forgiven whoever did something to us. It goes hand in hand. If we do not forgive others then we cannot ecpect a blessing because there is a blockage for the free flowing blessing. Remembering always that forgiveness is by God's grace alone. We dare not take it for granted. If we then also forgive the blessings are bound to come. Number one there is PEACE. 

 

[Irmela]

7.  Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically?
It is very important to walk with God everwhere literally as well as in your thoughts. Our own evil desires lead us back to the things that lead us to sin. (Stay away from that). If you do have to go back into that situation ask God to go with you. There is the sincere request though NOT TO LEAD US TO THAT PLACE. God does promise to help us though. 

[Katy]

Q1. God is our Heavenly Father, He has given us the opportunity to become children of God by adoption into the family of believers. He showed His great love for us by sending His precious son to die on the cross for our sins.This was the greatest act of love that He could have done for us. His very essence is goodness and love. He is also patient and long suffering, not wishing anyone to perish but all to come to repentance and eternal life. No matter how sinful we are He is willing to forgive us, as long as we turn to Him in true repentance. God possess all the attributes of an earthly father but in a much purer and perfect way. Human fathers are human and therefore flawed. Some human fathers don’t understand their responsibilities and privileges of being a father. Other do their best but are unable to be all they should be. God the Father is perfect in every way. I think it is astounding that Jesus shares His father with us. That we are allowed and encouraged to pray to Him just as Jesus did when He was on earth. No matter how sinful we are we can turn and pray at any time and God hears and listens to us with interest.

Q2. The word “ Hallowed” at the beginning of the Lord prayer reminds us that the Father we are speaking to is Holy and set apart from all sin. We are asking that the Father is treated with the honour and respect that He is entitled to by us but also be others. We must not come to a place of prayer or study with familiarity or disrespect. If we use the Lords name in a profane way we dishonour Him. We are also a bad example to those who hear us. We also need to honour God by gently asking people to refrain from using God’s name in a disrespectful manner. As Christians we must discipline our tongues and our hearts to honour God as He deserves. 
Q3. When we become Christians we enter into God’s Kingdom, we have the Holy Spirit living in us and we experience a new way of life. This is the beginning of the Kingdom of God. This will reach fruition when Jesus returns to earth to reign over all mankind. It started when God revealed Himself as Israel’s King. He made a covenant with the Jews and looks after them through thick and thin. But the people rejected Him and demanded an earthly king, but this King did not follow God’s ways and was succeeded by David , who was of the line of Judah from hence many generations later came Jesus. Jesus brought the Kingdom of God by preaching the good news about God and that Kingdom is also in us. We are asking that God will reign over all people. We also ask that Jesus will return soon. We should live our lives sharing all that God has done for us and being ready for His return.

Q4.It is our human nature which drives us to be independent and self sufficient. It is difficult for us to submit to anyone even our Heavenly Father. Sometimes I don’t think we consciously try to be independent from God. We forge ahead and forget about praying and asking for guidance before we start something. We should ask God to “give” us our daily bread as an act of humility, knowing that everything we have is graciously given to us by God. The gifts and abilities we possess also come from God. Without our abilities we would be unable to earn to put food on the table.

Q5.When we become Christians and grow in our walk with the Lord, we become less likely to sin. However as we become more Godly we see how imperfect we are, and sins we didn’t really consider sin before become more obvious to us. Therefore we do need to ask God’s forgiveness continually. He will forgive us our sins when we ask with true repentance. The same sins do not be confessed again and again. Our sins are forgiven once confessed and God in His mercy forgets about them.Psalm103 v12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Q6. Ephesians 4v32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other , just as in Christ God forgave you. Forgiveness is by God’s grace therefore we must afford the same grace to those who have offended us. If we do not and go around holding grudges we will block God’s blessing from our lives. If we refuse to forgive other, God may refuse to forgive us as we are wilfully harbouring sin in our hearts. If we feel we are not experiencing God’s blessing in our lives we need to examine ourselves and see if we have unforgiveness towards anyone in our hearts.

Q7.God does not tempt us but He is there to help us in times of temptation. We must pray and ask Him to help us overcome our desire to sin. We must do our part by avoiding all occasions of sin, and not entertain anything that might draw us closer to doing wrong. Jesus was tempted and therefore knows what it is like and will help us in our time of need. God will not automatically deliver us from sin. We must pray humbly and show our dependence on Him, and ask for His help. Our lives must be full of things and activities that are God centred so we will have less time to entertain sin.

[haar]

1. What concepts about a father are we to attribute to God? Which ones don't fit him very well? What is so astounding about the fact that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father?

God as a Father, loves, cares, provides, is available, not like the human father… but also disciplines us when we sin.

Jesus wants us to cultivate a close relationship with our Creator Who is there to meet all our needs and cares about us despite our shortcomings. I think the model of prayer also teaches us to have a cordial human interrelationship as parents and children.

 

2.    What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray?

When we honor God in our words and live, this "hallows" His name. Bur we tend to take the Name of God carelessly as a swear word, or for exclamation etc thus profaning the Name. Jesus is teaching us to hold the name sacred and with respect. We can start our prayer by worshiping Him by His names  such as– Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shamah etc. The names reminds us of who he is and what he does for us. This causes us to appreciate, adore and respect Him more and thus "hallow" Him.

3.    In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? How should this prayer affect our living?

We want Him to be the one that rules and leads us in all thinking and actions concerning everything that affects us.

His kingdom requires and ensures righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This is what we need badly in a chaotic generation like ours thus our desire that God's kingdom should come. This should be our focus and life style.

4.    Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?

I do not seek to be independent of asking others for help and personally do not seek to be independent of God. I also believe in asking Him for my needs because God promises that I will be given when I ask as in Matthew 7:7

Even when we earn a living, it is God that provided for it and we should never take it for granted. Indeed we pray and ask Him so that He will give us the best source of living.

5.    Why should we continually ask forgiveness? Does the Father really forgive the sins we've asked forgiveness for? Must the same sins be forgiven again later?

We should continually ask for forgiveness because we continually sin just as John tells us that if we say we have not sin, we lie to ourselves.

He has promised us that if we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us. So we should confess our sin and ask Him to forgive us and He will surely forgive us.

Yes, the same sin can be forgiven again but we should not make it a deliberate habit to go into sin just because we expect Him to forgive us.

6.    How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Doesn't the fact that our forgiveness requires our forgiving others really a subtle form of "works righteousness"?

Unforgiveness on our part can block God’s blessing and our own forgiveness because the Lord Himself says that if we do not forgive others our Father in heaven will not forgive our sin.

7.    Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically?

We live in a fallen world where the devil prowls around looking for someone to tempt and defeat. That is why I personally ask God not to allow me be tempted because I know how it takes to battle with temptation. But I believe also that He has promised that He will not allow me to be tempted beyond my control.

I wish God would deliver us from sin automatically but He is there to help us overcome the temptation to sin.

[Old Jerry]

What concepts about a father are we to attribute to God? Which ones don't fit him very well? What is so astounding about the fact that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father?

 

A. The concepts about the father we are to attribute to God is that He is a loving, caring Father. It astounding that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father because we only know our earthly fathers. Sometimes they aren’t very good to us but our Heavenly Father is always good to us.

 

What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray?

 

A. Hallow means we have put Him above all things and we respect His name. When we use God’s name in vain, that is when we desecrate His name.

 

In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? How should this prayer affect our living?

 

A. We are asking that Jesus would please come back and save us. We need all the help we can get. Therefore we should live our lives as if he is coming any minute.

 

Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?

 

A. We like to think that we can take care of ourselves. Therefore we don’t need God’s help. We ask God to give us our daily bread because it is God that have given us everything that we can do. Without God we can do nothing.

 

Why should we continually ask forgiveness? Does the Father really forgive the sins we've asked forgiveness for? Must the same sins be forgiven again later?

 

A. We must continually ask for forgiveness because we are continually sinning. We fall short of God’s glory. With Jesus interceding for us, our sins are forgiven even if we have done the same sin.

 

How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Doesn't the fact that our forgiveness requires our forgiving others really a subtle form of "works righteousness"?

 

A. Unforgiveness on our part blocks God’s blessing because we have a mental block to forgive others and we can’t understand why the Father would forgive us.

 

Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically?

 

A. We should bring God into our tempting circumstances because He will help us to not sin. I think He will deliver us from sins but only after we ask for forgiveness and repent.

[Godswriter]

1. What concepts about a father are we to attribute to God? Which ones don't fit him very well? What is so astounding about the fact that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father?

Father who loves us and chastises us when we are in the wrong and also protects us. The fact that He protects us don't fit but yet He is our protector. The fact that He loves enough to do what is right by protecting us with His angels and power. 

2.    What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray?

It is when we are truly in submission and surrendering our lives over to His care and choosing to listen to His voice and obey it. It is when we choose to disobey Him in any area and also use our words like weapons against other believers. By remembering that He is a holy and just God who deserves our praise and honor and glory.

3.    In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? How should this prayer affect our living?

The Kingdom coming in bringing people to Him through our witness and testimony. It should cause us to live holy before unbelievers. 

4.    Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?

Because by nature we believe that we can do this life of Christian living on our own. Because we want to do things on our own. Because He is our Provider and He will provide for all our needs. 

5.    Why should we continually ask forgiveness? Does the Father really forgive the sins we've asked forgiveness for? Must the same sins be forgiven again later?'

Because we are constant need of His forgiveness for our sins no matter what. Yes because He is loving and merciful God and when we choose to ask for forgiveness after we forgive others; He will do what He promises. 

6.    How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Doesn't the fact that our forgiveness requires our forgiving others really a subtle form of "works righteousness"?

He won't answer our prayers, won't forgive our sins and won't give us our heart's desires when we choose to be unforgiving. No it is the exact opposite it is a form of obedience out of love for our Heavenly Father. 

7.    Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically?

Because He Himself was at all points tempted and yet without sin. This means He is the perfect high priest that can sympathize with us. No sometimes He wants us to learn something from them as well. 

[kreilly]

Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?

Confession time--I was shocked by my immediate thought to Pastor Ralph's question "Should we thank God for our food if we have earned the money for it by our own labor?"  The first thought that came into my mind was no instead of yes.  I had a fleeting thought of I earned it why should I be thankful, despite the fact that I know in my head that of course, I should be thankful to God for everything I have.  It all belongs to Him.  But my heart is rebellious and is tempted to believe the insidious cultural brainwashing that occurs every time you turn on the radio, tv, or just talk to someone--you deserve it, you are strong and powerful, put yourself first, you're worth it.  These messages can slip into our minds unconsciously and come out when we don't expect them.  I have realized that I have been spending too much time in front of the tv instead of studying His word.  Hence my starting back up with this Bible Study.  

Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically?

There is something so freeing about confession.  Just naming a sin or temptation can begin the release of its power over you.  Trying to cover up and keep secrets will never help you acknowledge that you have a problem.  If you don't acknowledge you have a problem, you will never address it.  Instead, you will live in denial.  God knows this is true.  It is the reason He commands us to confess, not to shame us, but to release us from sin's hold over us.  Asking is the first step in receiving the power of the Spirit to overcome our temptation.

[kreilly]

On 7/10/2021 at 12:26 AM, hanks said:

 Regrettably many people have only known selfish, self-centred fathers who cared little for their well-being. Who may have been a derelict, a drunkard, a dope addict, or some other distorted person who wrought havoc with their personalities in early childhood. 
 

It is so true that this occurs in so many families.  Thankfully, the damage to a child's personality can be healed through developing a relationship with The Father.  A person might not know their earthly father, or their father might not be willing to work to heal the relationship, or may have passed away.  However, when we develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father, He will not hurt us in those ways and will heal us from those past hurts if we let Him.  He can show us how a father really should be.  There is nothing He can't redeem!

[George L]

 

What concepts about a father are we to attribute to God? Not only is he God, Hashem,  it is he that has made us,  knew us before we were knit in the mothers womb. He brought us to be. Which ones don't fit him very well? He is nothing that he does not enumerate in the bible text. What is so astounding about the fact that Jesus tells us to pray to God as Father? Nothing. The bible is a technical manual and this and other things  are a direct ‘how to’ of a process.

What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? We enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Recognition and joy in our relationship, and His covenant between us. What desecrates and besmirches it? Our rejection of Him. How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray? I begin recalling to him his great works. Thanking him for rescuing me from my death bed on life support and losing ground. I care about God’s heart and what hurts Him. Because he cares for mankind.

In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? I believe it is a proclimation of God’s purpose for earth. How should this prayer affect our living? We should be about God’s business, Jesus said put self on the tree daily and come follow me. If we walk as the holy spirit guides and counsels we will honor God’s purpose for each of us each day.

Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? It is foolishness and pride. Why do we seek to be independent of God? Foolishness rebellion and pride. Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?  We need to allow Him to take part in our lives. With Him we operate in the super natural, delivering ‘the the kingdom of god has come near you’ without we are delivering self.

Why should we continually ask forgiveness? We always have room for growth, and fail to walk in perfection, make errors, omit things.  Does the Father really forgive the sins we've asked forgiveness for? They are in the sea of forgetfullness to be remembered no more. Must the same sins be forgiven again later? Over and over and over again. As Paul said, the things I do not want to be doing I find I am doing….

How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? We receive what we sow.  How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? We can not receive what we refuse to give. Doesn't the fact that our forgiveness requires our forgiving others really a subtle form of "works righteousness"? No, it is a job qualification. You can not walk the walk of Christian in unforgiveness. Christ the Lamb paid for all. Failing to operate in that reality is denial of Christ.

Why should we bring God into the fact of our tempting circumstances? Satan is ever tempting and testing, distracting, imparing our progress as he can. God allows our testing to enhance our maturing. Every small victory builds our trust (faith) in God. Can't we expect God to deliver us from sins automatically? No, forbear for a time until we become aware, yes. Erase without repentance. I find no scripture supporting that.