CAUTION! PRAYER IS FOR REAL! FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE!
Remember the saying, “Don’t say it if you don’t mean it” – or the one that says, “Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it”… and remember how a few years back when the saying was popular, “God is for real, man”. WELL! God IS for real and the most important thing in the world is our conversation with Him … we call it PRAYER. That hymn Tennessee Ernie Ford sang, “Ere You Left Your Room this Morning, Did You Think to Pray?” becomes your “spiritual seat belt” … as, or more important than that one you “buckle up” … for it IS THE LINK BETWEEN GOD AND OURSELVES!
Indeed, it is a very big subject, most significant, and should be studied in depth. But be careful so that in the conversation and study, the kernel of truth is not lost. That kernel of truth is easy to misconstrue or ignore.
“WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME, BELIEVING! Jesus did NOT say that all our prayers would be granted. He said that our prayers made IN HIS NAME AND IN FAITH -- would be granted! The test of any prayer to God is: Can I make this prayer in the name of Jesus? No person, for example, could pray a prayer of personal revenge. Or, of personal ambition, or of a desire to surpass someone else. One must never pray for that which is unchristian or unChristlike. Our sense of values, priorities, goals and purposes must be in line with those of Jesus. At no point do we find Jesus praying, even for Himself, but that He includes the words, “Never-the-less, not MY will but Thine be done”. Our prayers and desires must be identified with God’s will … but then … LOOK OUT! … for God is the Alpha and the Omega – All Powerful, the Creator – has the first and the last Word! The prayer that is based (even skillfully worded) on self cannot be expected to be heard/answered for it is prayed, really in the name of self … and not in Jesus’ Name. How about reading Matthew 21:22 and John 14:13-14?
O Thou, Great Companion of our souls, go with us throughout this day and give us always a sense of Your Presence. Help us to have a single eye for duty and guide us by Your voice from within. Help us to test all things by the Word and the Spirit of the One who alone is our Master … in Jesus Name we pray. Amen -LJS
