Today’s Thought “The Candy Store, Without a Penny” G. Ward Matthew 6 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. How many remember a time where everyone knew this prayer given every disciple to model in their communication to the Holy One? The prefacing reveals immediate evaluation in Who you’re addressing; demanding a respect uniquely superior to any other (cf. *1 Chron.16:30). Moreover, there’s demand from our Lord that HE be unequalled to our desire; HE alone, knows what’s best for the whole of creation. So, when you pray His will be done, informing Him of earthly actualities – is that faith to believe He knows all? Or, when you congratulate Him on giving you more things (even health, while so many around you suffer) that delivers momentary bliss than joy; even when perceived depletion occurs, is that faithfulness (cf. Phil.4:11-12)? What about your lengthy prayers? Are they more geared to what you say, or is hearing HIM, then doing, central to HIS superiority in knowledge (*Eccl.5:1-2)? Are we really praying or begging?