An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Prayer Problems

(Pro 15:9 KJV)  The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Sometimes the “way” (1870) of the “wicked” (7563) is obvious.  Sometimes it is subtle.  It is the subtle ones who are confusing.  The previous verse lifts out the importance of prayer.  I was in a discussion about prayer recently.  I don’t understand prayer.  I do it on a regular basis, but I don’t understand why.  God is all the omni’s, from omniscient to omnipresent.  How can my prayer influence Him?  That is the part I don’t understand.

The danger of the wicked way comes when we try to make things like prayer a tool to manipulate God.  To me a lot of the prayer lists we have are wish lists.  They become nagging lists.  We are telling God all the things we think He should be doing if He is really God.  The last time I had a role in leading congregational prayer I experimented with writing out my prayers before hand.  I used what is called the Lord’s Prayer as a templet.  There are only three specific creature requests in that prayer:  Daily bread, forgiveness for sin and avoidance of temptation.  Everything else focuses on praise and glorifying God.  

So?  I plan on making prayer times a time to focus on thanksgiving and praise.  I will also try to make it a two way conversation by listening. 

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Very little praise is to be found among Christians, I fear.

Pumice said...

You are spot on. And that is one of the reasons for so much depression and fear among people who should know better.

Grace and peace