Then God spoke to me.
He said, "There are over 7 billion people on earth, yet 90% of the prayers I receive are from you. Give it a rest will you and let someone else have a chance!"
Seriously, I think I've made my point.
God likes to hear our prayers but He does not need a headache from us.
When we pray it is good to mention people we love who need our intercession. But God does not need us to repeat over and again the same prayer for each individual by name including their zip code. It is good to pray for other people. It shows a generosity of spirit on our part and an act of love towards someone else. At the very least, when we pray for someone we should have enough faith and trust that God will act in His own way, and in His own time, in accordance to His will, towards that individual and situation.
He does not need us to tell Him what to do for each person in each circumstance they are in. You'd be surprised how many people wish to serve God in an advisory capacity. Thank you but no thanks; He knows what to do and does not need your advice.
Prayer in itself is a sign of faith. It shows that we believe there is Someone there listening to our petitions. Otherwise we're just talking to ourselves.
Christ taught us to start our prayer with the words "Our Father". Not our King, our Leader, Master, Emperor, Boss or similar title. This was to establish our relationship with God in prayer. It is similar to the relationship between a child and a loving parent.
The parent already knows our needs and will provide for them; yet he likes to hear from his children all the same.
There's nothing wrong in asking God for favours for ourselves and others. But we do so in expectation that He will respond. Not an impertinent entitled expectation; but a hopeful expectation that He knows what is best for us and our loved ones.
Prayer is like a constant always open "chat" call to God. At any time of the day, whatever the circumstances, we turn our thoughts to Him and ask on behalf of someone in need. It only takes a second or two. I often pray silently when someone in conversation tells me of their problems.
It's a two-way call to God. We need to listen to Him and not constantly talk so He can't get a word in edgeways!
SUGGESTION: Every day, ask God to send you someone you can help. I did. He took me seriously and now I am inundated with people needing my help.
Okay, I may have laughed out loud at your second paragraph. Indeed, one of my favorite take-aways from reading Time for Reflections is serving Him in an "advisory capacity." That hits closer to home than I'd like to admit.
ReplyDeleteNeeding to "let go and let God" everyday!
Thank you for your kindness Mevely.
DeleteIndeed, we all tend to serve God as advisors telling Him what to do and how to do it. We forget that He created us and the whole Universe and does not need our help.
Praying for you and your family. God bless you all.
I'm not someone who prays to God for a better parking space but I always thank Him when I get one. He knows our needs and even, "oh Lord" is a prayer.
ReplyDeleteSo true, He knows our needs before we ask.
DeleteGod bless, Debby.
Debbie, I do the same thing.
DeleteGod certainly does not need us for advisors, Victor, but He certainly loves hearing from His children. And when we pray, we should always include, and I try to, that His will be done in everyone and in all situations. I'm so very glad that our Father in heaven hears us, cares for us and loves us beyond measure. May He bless you today and always!
ReplyDeleteAmen Martha. This is so comforting.
DeleteGod bless you.
Victor, your reflection on prayer is exactly right. Like you said, we should pray without ceasing, but not in an advisory capacity. As our Father, He knows what's best. My Bishop told one of my 2 congregations recently, God will always answer our prayers, and it'll either be a yes, a no, or I know a better way. Peace of the Lord be with you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Reverend for your kind comment. Your Bishop is correct. I often have to wait a while for God's better way.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
I thought your Suggestion is worth meditating on.
ReplyDeleteThanx Kathy. It is worth trying.
DeleteGod bless always.
thecontemplativecat here. This is a reminder that I needed to hear today. thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless you Susan.
DeleteOne lady quoted her mother as saying, "Life's hard, pray harder!"
ReplyDeleteAmen Mimi. God bless.
DeleteI think part of prayer is for praising and thanking God not just asking! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's true K. God bless.
DeleteI agree with HappyK and also agree with you when you said:
ReplyDeleteHe does not need us to tell Him what to do for each person in each circumstance they are in.
Also I appreciate your view on this. I would say more, but honestly do not know how to express my views.... I start judging too many folks.. Anyway, I do appreciate and thank you for the prayers.
Hello Jack,
DeleteThere's nothing wrong in praying for people on an individual basis about each one's personal circumstances. However, we should not prescribe a solution, like: Dear Lord, let X get his promotion at work because ...
Instead, I feel, we should pray: Dear Lord you know the circumstances X is in and I pray that you help him as best fits your will for him and his family.
I guess judging is a natural instinct in humans. It is necessary because it helps us distinguish right from wrong. If we did not judge then it would be a free-for-all out there with each one doing as he pleases. It's how we deal with the judgement that matters. Do we gossip and destroy someone's reputation by what we say about them?
Praying for you and yours my friend.
God bless.