Giving and Praying who is it for?

Matthew 6: 7-15

It is so easy to dismiss this portion of the Sermon on the Mount and say "I not performing for others, but the reality is that only means I am better at hiding that fact from myself. How often have I, in group settings, where I am praying aloud, anguished over the words to sound better to the group rather than just speaking to
God. I find it difficult to center myself on my love of God and all he does daily for me and not on my current needs. In fact when look at the prayer time at church many of the prayers people request are personal, either for themselves or family. I know I rarely use that time to praise or thank God for his constant Grace and Love.

I have struggled with the idea that I need to place my offering higher on my list of priorities, not for myself but in response to God and what He has given me. Centering my life outside myself is a daily challenge. It seems so much of what I fill my day with is about me. Often, the closest I get to focusing outside myself is taking care of my grand kids. Its feels great because they respond automatically with joy and thanksgiving when grandpa does things for them. I wish I could be half as responsive to God in remembering all that he does for me.

Dear God,
You are so good to us, even our daily breath is your gift. I struggle to remember to thank you for all you do. Even in my darkest hours you have been there,keeping me, guarding me and forgiving me when I doubted your presence. Give me. Thank you for my daily breath, for sweet air that I take for granted. For all that I take for granted or that I remain unaware of I thank you and praise you.