Receiving His Provision

11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. --Matthew 6.11-12

In prayer we recognize our NEEDS and acknowledge God’s PROVISION of those needs.

• Our prayers should reveal trust

7  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. --Matthew 7.7-8

• Our prayers should reflect contentment  

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. --Matthew 6.31-33

HIS PROVISION CAN CANCEL OUR SPIRITUAL LIABILITY

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. --Matthew 18.23-27

• He displays patience

• He designates payment

• He demonstrates pity

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. --Colossians 2.13-14 (ESV)

HIS PROVISION CAN BRIDGE OUR RELATIONAL DISPARITY

28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”  --Matthew 18.28-35

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. --Matthew 6.14-15

• Restored relationships with others

• Redeemed relationship with the Father
  

“The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” --Proverbs 15.29

In prayer we recognize our needs and acknowledge God’s provision of those needs. These words are not to remind God of His duty to us but to remind us of His love. God knows what you need and has promised to supply all of your needs