As of late, my prayers are too complicated. God doesn’t want a bunch of fancy, theological words. He’s not impressed; he made up any of the words I would use anyway…I’m starting to realize that prayer is less of a laundry list that I occasionally send up God’s direction, but rather the detergent God uses to clean me up. Sound a little bit odd?
I’ve posted it before, but again, here is the Lord’s prayer. It may be short, but it’s extremely concentrated and packed with cleaning and transforming agents.
Take a look. Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give use this day our daily bread. Please forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, power and glory for ever and ever, Amen.
You feel the dirt coming off you? Here it is, at least in my mind, in short:
God, you’re awesome. Do what you need to in this world. Continue to provide me with life and forgiveness. Help me to forgive; keep me from sin, and keep satan away. You’re God anyway, I just needed to tell you so that you know I know. You’re awesome.
Think about it… Wrestle with it…
November 28, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Hey Pastor Logan,
I actually purchased a book on prayer. I immediately decided not to read it. Why? Because, I thought, about God being all knowing and trying to impress Him with articulate prayers may be more of a slap in His gracious face than an honor. I started to go to praying verses of God’s promise to do the follwing things.
1. Draw man to Himself,
2. Conform me to the image of His Son.
3. Provide for my welfare and the welfare of my family
4. Use me as a vessel in this fallen world.
I then bring my list of concerns and pray that His sovereign hand will do what is best (because I don’t know, I guess that is why I am finite and He isn’t).
God bless and I will wait for more.