Jesus emphasized the importance of regular and sincere prayer. In his teachings, Jesus encouraged continous prayer. In Luke 18:1, he told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. The Apostle Paul, reflecting Jesus’ teachings, advised believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

     Regarding when we should pray, Jesus prayed at various times, including early in the morning (Mark 1:35) and late at night (Luke 6:12). This suggests that prayer is appropriate at any time. In times of need, Jesus often prayed before making important decisions or facing challenges (such as before choosing his disciples in Luke 6:12-13).

     Regarding how we should pray, Jesus warned against praying just to be seen by others. Instead, he advised praying in private (Matthew 6:5-6). He emphasized the importance of faith in prayer, teaching that if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).

     Jesus said that there were some key elements of prayer. You should acknowledge God’s holiness and greatness, seek God’s will in all things, ask for daily provisions, request forgiveness for sins and extend forgiveness to others. You should also ask for protection from temptation and evil.

     Prayer is a way to buid a relationship with God, express gratitude, seek guidance, and find comfort. And best of all, you don’t even have to pray out loud; you can simply pray to God through your mental thoughts with him!

      Various religious texts describe actions that might displease God. Here are some common themes:

1. Disobedience:  Failing to follow God’s commandments or acting against His will can lead to his displeasure. For example, in the Abrahamic traditions, disobedience is often seen as a cause of divine anger.

2. Idolatry:  Worshiping other gods or putting material possessions above God is considered offensive. Many faiths emphasize monotheism (the doctrine or belief that there is only one God) and discourage idol worship.

3. Injustice and Cruelty:  God is displeased when people harm others unjustly, oppress the weak, or act act cruelly. Compassion, kindness, and fairness are valued. Do you remember  what Jesus said about practicing “The Golden Rule”……”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12) ?

4. Lack of Repentance: Ignoring the need for repentance and forgiveness can lead to God’s anger. Acknowledging mistakes and seeking forgiveness is essential.

5. Pride and Arrogance:   Arrogance and self-centeredness distance us from God. Humility and recognizing our dependence on Him are encouraged.

     Remember that interpretations vary across different religious traditions, and what angers God may differ. Ultimately, seeking a virtuous life and striving for compassion, love, and understanding is a common thread across many faiths. Do you think God is angry with you and if you do, then it might be best for you to ask for forgiveness  and start following the Golden Rule !

Jesus had quite a bit to say about greed and the dangers it poses.

1. Guard Against Greed:  In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”. This emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth.

2. Parable of the Rich Fool: In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who hoards his wealth, but dies suddenly, highlighting the futulity of storing up earthly treasures without being “rich toward God”.

3. Serving Two Masters: In Matthew 6:24, Jesus states, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and money”. This underscores the idea that devotion to wealth can conflict with devotion to God.

4. Generosity and Contentment: Jesus also taught the importance of generosity and contentment. For example, in Matthew 6:19-21, He advises to “store up treasures in heaven” rather than on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen.

     These teachings collectively stress that greed can lead one away from spiritual fulfillment and that true contentment comes from a relationship with God and a generous heart. What treasures are you planning on storing up in heaven? Being generous towards others is a good start!

     Jesus taught extensively about humility, emphasizing its importance in various aspects of life and relationships:

1. Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:  In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus contrasts the prideful prayer of a Pharisee with the humble plea of a tax collector. He concludes, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

2. Washing the Disciples’ Feet:  In John 13:1-17, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, demonstrating that true leadership involves serving others. He tells them, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet.”

3. Beatitudes:In Matthew 5:3, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” highlighting the value of recognizing our spiritual ned and dependence on God.

     Following these examples that Jesus taught, we can also strive to be humble to others in various ways as well. We can serve others selflessly through acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply helping those in need.

      We can listen more and speak less. We can practice active listening and show genuine interest in others’ perspectives. This helps to value their opinions and experiences.

     We can acknowldege our own limitations by recognizing and admiting our own faults and weaknesses. This fosters a spirit of continous learning and growth.

     We can freely give credit to others when we recognize it. We should always celebrate others’ achievements and contributions without seeking recognition for ourselves.

     And last, but not least, we should pray for humility. We should regularly ask God to help us cultivate a humble heart and to guide our actions and thoughts.

     By integrating these teachings and practices into our daily lives, we can embody the humility that Jesus preached and positively impact our relationships and the community that we reside in. “True humility is staying teachable, regardless of how much you already know.” – Anonymous author

1. “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people”.

2. “Practice kindness all day to everybody and you will realize you’re already in heaven now.”

3. “The smallest act of kindness is worth more thanthe greatest intention.”

4. “Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses…swapped back and forth and over again.” – Michelle Obama

5. “Awards are great, but really what makes me happy is making other people happy.” – Ellen Degeneres