Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These central tenants of Lent redirect our focus to our relationship with God, the discipline of sacrifice, and being a gift of self. All three are addressed by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, “When you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites; they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you fast, don’t look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Let’s pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. Please bless our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, that we would be more loving and sacrificial. Amen. This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Find them anytime at Prayfor2.com, and the Redeemer Radio app.