As Christmas approaches, we are often reminded to keep the true meaning of the season as we celebrate Christmas. I want to challenge us to take that a step further: let's reconsider the meaning behind each action we take, and each request we long for in prayer.
Prayer is one of the most important parts of our walk with Christ. It's what differs our Lord from any false idol; we actually can have a connection with Him, and He hears and responds to every request! With this being said, I'm afraid we sometimes miss the point in our prayers, as well as in our motivation in life.
In 2 Kings, Hezekiah is asking God for deliverance from Assyria. I think the way he asks is interesting:
Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God. (2 Kings 19:8)
Did you notice anything unexpected in that prayer? Most of the time we pray because we want something. Why do we want that new job? We want to pay the bills. Why do he want that guy/girl to notice us? We want to date them. Why do we ask for anything? Well, simply because we just want it.
Our society has gotten so focused on immediate pleasure. Fast food, movies on demand, online shopping, etc. You name it-there is probably some big market in trying to figure out how to get it to us faster and without as much effort. I feel like we rely on prayer to be a fast track in getting what we want. If we have a want, we send up a quick prayer to God then feel satisfied because we said our daily prayer and can expect whatever we just asked for to happen.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's how this is suppose to work.
Let's go back to that verse. Why did Hezekiah ask for deliverance? So that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.
Not because he wanted safety. Not because he wanted an easier life. Not because he wanted anything for himself. Because He wanted the whole world to know the Lord he loved and feared!
Maybe we should look at that job offer we are praying about as a potential way to meet more people to share the gospel with, or we might view the new person in our class that we are praying for courage to talk to as someone to invite to Bible study. Hezekiah put thoughts of safety AFTER the desire to let God be known. Sure, he 100% desired safety from Assyria, and there are going to be things in life that we really want. However, shouldn't we focus more on how to spread His love than how to get what we want?
It's possible that we have become a little selfish in our prayer lives, at least I know I have. If we become so focused on living for Christ, He will allow everything else to fall into place in the best way possible. With the new year coming up, let's make it a goal for sharing Christ to be the reason behind our actions, not merely an afterthought. God clearly has things under control, and His plan is better than anything we could think of, we just have to follow it! While God does want us to come to Him for everything, let's change our attitude behind why we do. Instead of asking what God can do for us, let's ask God to show us how we can best serve our Creator and Savior that has already given us far more than we deserve.
God delivered Israel, and He will be with us. Let's show our thanks by spreading His goodness to everyone around us.
Prayer is one of the most important parts of our walk with Christ. It's what differs our Lord from any false idol; we actually can have a connection with Him, and He hears and responds to every request! With this being said, I'm afraid we sometimes miss the point in our prayers, as well as in our motivation in life.
In 2 Kings, Hezekiah is asking God for deliverance from Assyria. I think the way he asks is interesting:
Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God. (2 Kings 19:8)
Did you notice anything unexpected in that prayer? Most of the time we pray because we want something. Why do we want that new job? We want to pay the bills. Why do he want that guy/girl to notice us? We want to date them. Why do we ask for anything? Well, simply because we just want it.
Our society has gotten so focused on immediate pleasure. Fast food, movies on demand, online shopping, etc. You name it-there is probably some big market in trying to figure out how to get it to us faster and without as much effort. I feel like we rely on prayer to be a fast track in getting what we want. If we have a want, we send up a quick prayer to God then feel satisfied because we said our daily prayer and can expect whatever we just asked for to happen.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's how this is suppose to work.
Let's go back to that verse. Why did Hezekiah ask for deliverance? So that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.
Not because he wanted safety. Not because he wanted an easier life. Not because he wanted anything for himself. Because He wanted the whole world to know the Lord he loved and feared!
Maybe we should look at that job offer we are praying about as a potential way to meet more people to share the gospel with, or we might view the new person in our class that we are praying for courage to talk to as someone to invite to Bible study. Hezekiah put thoughts of safety AFTER the desire to let God be known. Sure, he 100% desired safety from Assyria, and there are going to be things in life that we really want. However, shouldn't we focus more on how to spread His love than how to get what we want?
It's possible that we have become a little selfish in our prayer lives, at least I know I have. If we become so focused on living for Christ, He will allow everything else to fall into place in the best way possible. With the new year coming up, let's make it a goal for sharing Christ to be the reason behind our actions, not merely an afterthought. God clearly has things under control, and His plan is better than anything we could think of, we just have to follow it! While God does want us to come to Him for everything, let's change our attitude behind why we do. Instead of asking what God can do for us, let's ask God to show us how we can best serve our Creator and Savior that has already given us far more than we deserve.
God delivered Israel, and He will be with us. Let's show our thanks by spreading His goodness to everyone around us.
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