SUMMARY
True fasting and prayer is done not for the purpose of outward show but draws the person of prayer into a deeper relationship with God that will express harmony with God’s blessings and with God’s intention to forgive.
ANALYSIS
The righteousness of the kingdom is reflected in a piety that is expressed not for external show and reward, but rests in the confidence that God stands ready to give even before the request is made. The Lord’s Prayer stands as a model of the piety of the kingdom. In this prayer we are invited into an awareness of the kingdom that knows its coming as an answer to prayer, acknowledges the daily gifts of God for life, and seeks to have one’s own life mirror the blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More of God in forgiving love for the other.
