Universal Utterings
for June 18, 2026
A Godcast
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06-18-2026 Matthew 6 v0718 They Neglect Their Appearance
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 7 thru 18
7 In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; 13 and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. 16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
Matthew 6:7-18 forms a significant part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He addresses essential aspects of prayer, fasting, and the sincere attitude that should accompany these practices. In verse 7, Jesus warns against meaningless repetition in prayer, emphasizing that God already knows our needs before we ask. This instruction highlights the importance of sincerity and authenticity in our communication with God, rather than engaging in vain or empty words.
Verses 9-13 present what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, a model that encapsulates key elements of a heartfelt prayer. It begins with an acknowledgment of God’s holiness and establishes a relational dynamic, inviting believers to seek God’s will and provision. The prayer brings forth elements of worship, dependence, and confession, illustrating that prayer is as much about aligning oneself with God’s purpose as it is about seeking personal needs.
In verses 14-15, Jesus emphasizes forgiveness, stating that our willingness to forgive others is linked to our own forgiveness from God. This principle underscores the relational nature of faith—both towards God and others—emphasizing that our spiritual lives are intertwined with our interactions in the world.
Verses 16-18 address fasting, another spiritual discipline that should be approached with humility and sincerity, not for public recognition. Jesus encourages fasting in secrecy, promoting an internal focus rather than outward displays of piety. This reinforces the overarching theme in this passage: the call to cultivate a genuine relationship with God that transcends ritualistic practices.
Overall, Matthew 6:7-18 invites believers to engage in prayer and fasting as authentic expressions of faith, highlighting the importance of the heart’s posture before God and the impact of our relationships with others in our spiritual journey. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
06-18-2026 Matthew 6 v0718
**They Neglect Their Appearance**
In a quiet space where hearts can mend,
A whisper from the mountains to the bend,
Matthew six, a sacred guide,
Where prayer and faith in silence coincide.
Not with vain repetitions, don’t let words stray,
For the Father knows our needs before we pray.
In hidden corners, our spirits ignite,
In the stillness, He hears, our burdens take flight.
“Pray like this,” the Master gently speaks,
A balance of reverence and humility seeks.
Our Father, who art in heaven, so grand,
May Your name be hallowed, across every land.
Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven, let hearts beat as one.
Daily bread, grant us, we humbly implore,
Forgive as we forgive, love’s open door.
In trials and temptations, our fortress, our guide,
Lead us away from the dark, be our light inside.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power, the grace,
In the echo of love, we find our true place.
When we fast, let it not be for show,
But a heart seeking mercy, in Him we bestow.
In secret, He rewards, unseen by the crowd,
In the depth of our souls, we grasp what others disavow.
So let your prayers rise like incense in flight,
With sincerity woven, in day and in night.
For the God who hears whispers upon the breeze,
Is the same who sees hearts and grants us His eternal peace.
In Matthew’s verses, wisdom unfolds,
A tapestry woven, through stories retold.
In simplicity, faith, and love’s gentle quest,
Our prayers shape the world, where the weary find rest. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
June 18, 2026 @ 04:44 AM EST
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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using GodFirstforJesus@gmail.com, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**
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