We all have gotten those emails where it says send this to 25 friends or you don't love God or that say send this to 362 friends and you will be blessed greatly by God, and I would say that most of us have sent at least several of them out. As we were sending those did we really consider what they were saying? Is that the way that the Bible shows us to communicate with God, and show our love for Him? Is that what the Bible says we will be rewarded for?
How about the Face book status messages saying that if you are a "real Christian" you must like this status. There is one going around now that has a nice little wishlist "prayer" and it tells you to stop right now and make it your status so that you can see God will do for you.
This one is the one that God used to inspire me to write this blog tonight. I began thinking. Is this the way that Jesus showed us to pray? Can I just give Him my wishlist in a facebook message and be done? Or is prayer a two-way conversation with God that leads to a deeper relationship with Him and a greater understanding of His will for our lives. Not to say that we are no to bring our petitions to God. He tells us in scripture to do that, but isn't prayer supposed to be more than that?
In Matthew 6 Jesus says; "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
ReplyDelete"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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."
God loves to hear from us; not because he wants to know about us, He already knows what we need, and what we are going to say to Him. He does not want our public showy words; He wants our hearts to be focused on him. It is to be a warm, intimate, relational conversation between you and Him, not a rehearsed, recited, saying, a public chant, or chatter.
God will often use prayer; not to change the circumstances, but to change your heart.
He is not a magic 8-ball and certainly is not a staples easy button.
Thank You for that Adam I was going to go back and make another post with some Bible verses answering the questions I had in the original post, but I think this will answer them just fine.
ReplyDelete