Your Father knows

Read Matthew 6:31-32

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Jesus began this section with a clear command: “Therefore, do not worry” (6:25) and now he repeats it, once again with a link back (“So”) to what he’s just said (31). His first reason for not worrying is that by choosing to serve God and his kingdom we now have a different perspective on what’s important in life (6:19-25). His second reason is that we have a heavenly Father who we can trust to provide all that we need (6:26-30).

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So chasing after material things is a characteristic anxiety of “pagans” (32) i.e. of people who have no knowledge of God as their heavenly Father. Jesus has already referred to them in regard to the way they pray – “babbling” because “they think they will be heard for their many words” (6:7). Both there and here the same contrast is made – you don’t need to be like that “for your Father knows what you need” (6:8,32).

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Hence the importance of “This, then, is how you should pray”, coming to your Father in the confidence that he loves you and will provide your “daily bread” (6:9,11; Heb.4:16; 1 Jn.5:14-15). When we are struggling with worries of any kind, it’s not very helpful to try not to worry! Instead, focus on your heavenly Father, and his kingdom.