In a moment of desperate tv watching, we tuned in to a show I previously recommended myself never watch. The show was mildly entertaining, but I found myself judging the people on screen for something I didn't expect to be judging them about.
Their prayer.
In much the same way as I would pray, I watched as they asked Lord Jesus to "bless" a creation they had made with items stolen from around the hotel because "we promise to return them when the pageant is done."
Seriously? Asking God to bless something they had stolen with a seemingly trivial end purpose??
Immediately I felt bad for judging their prayer request because I know God does promise to hear us when we call out to Him. I believe He wants us to talk to Him about all of the things we struggle with. I spent the rest of the show fighting with my judgement as they continued to ask God to bless things that seemed obviously out of God's plan.
Theologically I think God always hears and also always answers. He always answers according to His will, which might not always fit with mine, but is ultimately best.
This morning my usual over analyzing mind flipped back to that prayer and the way it seemed so trivial to me - but clearly not trivial to them and therefore still heard by God. My mind wandered to the question of what in my prayers is trivial, petty, clearly not in God's will?
Is it my cries for meaning to days?
Or my pleas that I will have opportunity to sit a read for 20 minutes this afternoon?
Maybe it's crazy to ask that Amelie will get dressed without drama today.
A Chinese believer who is suffering for owning a Bible or a woman living in poverty whose daily chores never ever end might equally scoff at my struggles to maintain a consistent Bible reading plan or my regular battles over finding worth in the daily routine chores in that fill my days. They might judge my prayers to be ridiculous as I sat in judgement of the tv show prayers.
From my perspective my prayers are heartfelt outpourings of where I need God to intervene. The people on the show also felt they needed God to intervene. Suffering Chinese believers need God's intervention and so does the hard working woman around the world.
We pray to request, to thank, to acknowledge, and to connect with our Creator.
Wouldn't it be cool to hear all of the prayers that reach God's ears? As a human, I would laugh at how trivial some are and be burdened beyond comprehension at the pain in many others. But I imagine God, Abba Father, listening with concern each time a prayer reaches His ears. He would gather the tears into a bottle, maybe smile at the sweet requests of a child, and nod with patience at those that are seemingly less important.
No matter the request, there is a promise that God does hear and also RESPONDS to us all.
That is amazing love and individual caring beyond my comprehension.
Their prayer.
In much the same way as I would pray, I watched as they asked Lord Jesus to "bless" a creation they had made with items stolen from around the hotel because "we promise to return them when the pageant is done."
Seriously? Asking God to bless something they had stolen with a seemingly trivial end purpose??
Immediately I felt bad for judging their prayer request because I know God does promise to hear us when we call out to Him. I believe He wants us to talk to Him about all of the things we struggle with. I spent the rest of the show fighting with my judgement as they continued to ask God to bless things that seemed obviously out of God's plan.
Theologically I think God always hears and also always answers. He always answers according to His will, which might not always fit with mine, but is ultimately best.
This morning my usual over analyzing mind flipped back to that prayer and the way it seemed so trivial to me - but clearly not trivial to them and therefore still heard by God. My mind wandered to the question of what in my prayers is trivial, petty, clearly not in God's will?
Is it my cries for meaning to days?
Or my pleas that I will have opportunity to sit a read for 20 minutes this afternoon?
Maybe it's crazy to ask that Amelie will get dressed without drama today.
A Chinese believer who is suffering for owning a Bible or a woman living in poverty whose daily chores never ever end might equally scoff at my struggles to maintain a consistent Bible reading plan or my regular battles over finding worth in the daily routine chores in that fill my days. They might judge my prayers to be ridiculous as I sat in judgement of the tv show prayers.
From my perspective my prayers are heartfelt outpourings of where I need God to intervene. The people on the show also felt they needed God to intervene. Suffering Chinese believers need God's intervention and so does the hard working woman around the world.
We pray to request, to thank, to acknowledge, and to connect with our Creator.
Wouldn't it be cool to hear all of the prayers that reach God's ears? As a human, I would laugh at how trivial some are and be burdened beyond comprehension at the pain in many others. But I imagine God, Abba Father, listening with concern each time a prayer reaches His ears. He would gather the tears into a bottle, maybe smile at the sweet requests of a child, and nod with patience at those that are seemingly less important.
No matter the request, there is a promise that God does hear and also RESPONDS to us all.
That is amazing love and individual caring beyond my comprehension.
1 comment:
Very, very intriguing thought! I, too, have found myself judging others' prayers, and also at the time immediately realized that my prayers are not without less than stellar requests. I love how you brought this fleeting thought under closer examination.
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