Ms. Martha, I have been helped by Dr. Donald Whitney's teaching on fasting. 1) fasting is expected ('when you fast"), 2) fasting is usually privation of food, 3) It seems to be usually tied to a specific purpose/situation (for example, a big decision or need for guidance), 4) the practice of fasting is helpful in that in the moments you feel hungry, your need for food reminds you of your spiritual needs as well, and the spiritual need you are fasting for in particular, so that you may lift up prayers to the Lord. In other words, when my tummy aches I remember I need the Lord's help. I think this makes sense with the way the scriptures work. as a last point 5), we do not want to fast to manipulate God or to earn his love. We have his love already clearly demonstrated, and we seek him for our needs knowing He gives better than we ask, too, so seeking to manipulate him is unwise. I am sure you think this way, but I add it since I believe Christians often don't fast because they don't see it's usefulness, but it looks more like a hunger strike. Hope this helps.

A sound book on rewards is YOUR ETERNAL REWARD by Erwin Lutzer

@Paul Carrol - Jesus is presenting an analogy. He is saying that If your eye is bad, then you are left in darkness. But that it would be much worse than that for your whole soul to be darkened by superficial religion that cannot address the heart issues related to sin.

Vs 25-34 is a great reminder not to be anxious, and to take one day at a time. I recently read this same passage, and it was great to read it again. I'm thankful for Gods sovereign control over ones life and his provisions.

Saw this JC Ryle quote today that reflects this passage very well: A man may preach from false motives. A man may write books, and make fine speeches and seem diligent in good works, and yet be a Judah Iscariot. But a man seldom goes into his closet, and pours out his soul before God in secret, unless he is in earnest.

@Chance Hunt - I'm glad you corrected that. I was going to ask if you had been listening to Creflo Dollar.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words."

I know I have been guilty of feeling that a longer prayer is somehow "better" than just a short one. And I will say the same thing like 5 different ways just to have a longer prayer because if I only said my request in one sentence then it couldn't be a serious prayer, right? We know we should talk to God reverently, but I don't think the number of words makes it more or less reverent only our attitude in approaching God. Not that long prayers are bad or wrong, but we shouldn't make them longer just for the sake of making them longer.

What is verse 22 and 23 talking about? Is it talking about the things we look at and accept or is it something else?

Yes, thanks Bruce!

Martha T - Matthew 6 refers to "whenever you fast" so it is assumed that you will fast but it is not commanded like preyer and giving are. There may be times when facing a significant decision that fasting may be combined with prayer as it is in Acts 13 prior to the sending out of Paul and Barnabas.
Hope this helps some.

@John Gardner. Yes. Thanks for catching that!

Chance-Do you mean a child "of" God?

Verse 8. A reminder to us that in prayer we are not informing God of our needs. God sweetly commands us to pray as prayer reminds *us* of our dependence on Him. And then we remember that He does not fail us.

Amazing that we are to pray to God as "our" Father! Because of what Christ the Son has done we now enjoy all the privelages and rights of being a child God!

The whole chapter was a great reminder of how God looks at the heart rather than outward actions. Convicted that I need to beware of practicing my righteousness before people to be seen by them. I am also challenged by v.21 to have a more eternal mindset and store up my treasures in heaven and not on earth.

I find it interesting that Christians (including myself) often seek reward and recognition from the fallible mankind through our actions and words. As Christians, we know that God does not reward the self-seeking proud, but the God-seeking humble. We also know that God's rewards are far beyond any that could be received from man. Logically, with this knowledge, we should only be seeking the rewards that God bestows to those who seek to glorify Him. Yet we still at times seem to value and look for the rewards and recognition of man instead of God's. This shows me that we are viewing what man can offer as greater than what God can offer. In other words, putting man above God! Praise God for His infinite patience, grace, and mercy that He gives to His children when we continually view Him in such a pitiful manner! Let us ever be reminded that the glory of God should always be what Christians seek for.

How important is fasting in the Christian life? I grew up in a church where it was never mentioned, and I spent a long time in a church where it may have been over emphasized. I would love to hear from you all what your thoughts are.

Jesus gave a number of great promises related to prayer (John 15:7) and in this chapter He gives us a pattern for prayer (v.5-15). Jesus' earthly life shows His commitment to prayer. In addition to these things prayer is a great privilege. I can commune with the One who is eternal and created all things and I can call Him, Father. I am resolved that in 2017 I want to grow a stronger practice of prayer in my own life.

I am always struck as I am interacting with others and considering my own thoughts on anxiety found in the last verses of this chapter. We know that anxiety weighs a person down, (Pro. 12.25) to the point for some where a persons spirit feels like dried up bones of hopelessness. (Pro 17:22) As a result, worry will cause spiritual fruitlessness. (Mat 13:22) As a believer, we are thankful and humbled that God knows intimately and cares for us in our moment. The moment by moment humbling and casting our worry anxiety fear doubts on the Savior. (1 Pet5:6-7) It is never without a proper view of the nature of God. Actually, anxiety fear and worry is killed when we contemplate the character of God and "believe" in all that He is by living a life that show that belief in action. (Isa 41:10, Ps 94:19) I believe that worry and anxiety is a ultimately a glory stealer when we make much of our own thoughts and ways instead of Gods. Lots to consider on the thought or command to not be anxious.

There is so much in this and the previous chapter upon which to meditate. But, as I read the chapter it reminded me where my heart is to be. It's not here. It's with Christ. The glories of heaven will not be the golden streets, it will be seeing God as he is. Now that's worth investing in.

Yes, God doesn't tell us what specifically what those treasures in heaven are. However, I do know that he values people and that souls are eternal. Riches, houses, and earthly positions are temporary. This leads me to think that perhaps some of those treasures will be people that we have invested in. How great will be our joy to worship the King together throughout eternity! It motivates me because I want many people joining me around the throne.

I would say verses 33 & 34 sums it up. Wow! What a sinner I am in need of the Savior.

We often shy away from this idea of rewards from God almost as a selfish Christian motive, yet it is clear in this passage that we are to eagerly seek heavenly reward. If we are focused on His kingdom and His righteousness then we will be less focused on ourselves and the things of this world that seem to so easily distract and entangle us.

This is such a great chapter. Do I love myself and/or the world more than I love God? Do I actively try to steal glory from God?