Portals of Prayer - A Daily Devotion from Concordia Publishing House   Devotional Reading for: 1/8/2009   Associated Scripture Readings: Matthew 6:1-6 Psalm 29 Beware of Showing Off  Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people. Matthew 6:1 We are used to seeing athletes showing off after making spectacular plays and children showing off in front of adults. In today’s text, Jesus warns against showing off in church—that is, presenting worship, offerings, and prayer for others (or even ourselves!) to admire. If we hope to be praised or to receive honor by our prayers or church attendance, our hearts and attitudes are warped, and our worship praises only ourselves. If our charitable giving is done to see our names on the donor list, then we are only blowing our own horn. This pretense is not pleasing to God. The only acceptable motive for our prayers and offerings is love for Christ, who has given Himself for us as payment for our sin. True prayers and offerings flow not from pride or self-promotion, but from the grace God pours out upon penitent sinners. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17). God does not despise a repentant heart, but rather blesses it with His compassion, love, and tender mercy. Loved by Christ and renewed and supported by His mercy, we seek to offer Him our worship, prayers, and alms in the shelter of His boundless forgiveness.  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Amen.
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About Portals of Prayer
Each devotion features a Bible reading, meditation, and prayer in an easy-to-read format. Portals of Prayer is great for personal devotions, and these timeless devotions can be used to open meetings or launch Bible studies. It is published in the convenient and popular pocket size or a large-print edition.

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