"...one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
Jesus replied,
"When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you"*
If you listen to how many people pray, or how some "pastors" preach, you might be led to believe these were the words of Jesus rather than those of Jiminy Cricket. Think about it...
How often do we ignore God until we want something?
How often do we treat Him like a genie in a lamp, pouring out request after request with barely a breath inbetween?
Or maybe we act like He's a big vending machine in the sky, thinking "Okay God, I did this, now I need You to do that..."
I've been convicted myself that my prayers can be heavy on the requests and light on worship and adoration. I'm not fond of people who want things from me but aren't interested in a relationship with me, and I can't imagine God is fond of it either.
How often do we ignore God until we want something?
How often do we treat Him like a genie in a lamp, pouring out request after request with barely a breath inbetween?
Or maybe we act like He's a big vending machine in the sky, thinking "Okay God, I did this, now I need You to do that..."
I've been convicted myself that my prayers can be heavy on the requests and light on worship and adoration. I'm not fond of people who want things from me but aren't interested in a relationship with me, and I can't imagine God is fond of it either.
If we continue reading in Luke, we see Jesus begins His model of prayer by saying "Father, hallowed be your name,"
Throughout Scripture we're reminded that God is holy and deserving of our praise. If Jesus began His prayer this way, wouldn't we be wise to do the same?
Throughout Scripture we're reminded that God is holy and deserving of our praise. If Jesus began His prayer this way, wouldn't we be wise to do the same?
X - Exalt the Lord our God, worship at His footstool; He is holy. Psalm 99:5
This is our next verse in the "She Sparkles" A to Z Scripture Memory Challenge. (Hey, give her points for creativity - there are no verses that actually start with "X"!) Can you belive we only have two verses left? I have been so blessed by learning these verses; I want you to be blessed too! You can jump in anywhere at any time. Here are the verses we've learned so far. Won't you join us?
A - As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b
B – Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
C – Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
F – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
G – God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
H – How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:2
I – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Galatians 5:1
J – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
K – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13
L - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
M – May Your unfailing love be my comfort. Psalm 119:76
O – O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1
P – Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
U - Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it. Proverbs 16:22
V - Victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:31b
W - We Love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
* Thanks to my good friend Kris, who shared this illustration from Jack Hayford with me.
W - We Love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
* Thanks to my good friend Kris, who shared this illustration from Jack Hayford with me.
Lisa
I've been known to link up with: Soli Deo Gloria, Inspire Me Monday, Titus 2sdays, Tell Me a Story, Teach Me Tuesdays, Courtship Connection, Into the Beautiful, God Bumps & God Incidences, Word-Filled Wednesday, Winsome Wednesday, Simply Helping Him, Weekend Whatever, Spiritual Sundays, True Vine Challenge, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates With God, Monday's Musings, Monday Montras
I've been known to link up with: Soli Deo Gloria, Inspire Me Monday, Titus 2sdays, Tell Me a Story, Teach Me Tuesdays, Courtship Connection, Into the Beautiful, God Bumps & God Incidences, Word-Filled Wednesday, Winsome Wednesday, Simply Helping Him, Weekend Whatever, Spiritual Sundays, True Vine Challenge, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates With God, Monday's Musings, Monday Montras
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Stopping over from Playdates. Wow - this is a very thought provokin post. I have been guilty of that, too. But when we are in relationship with Him, our desires more closely resemble His...and our heart is at rest that when we share our need with Him that He will answer in His time and according to His will. Thank you for sharing this! Blessings from Croatia: A Little R & R: www.littlerandr.org
Very cool! So glad I popped over from Beauty in His Grip! I love creative and fresh illustrations-- and this is a new one :-) I totally agree, Lisa-- too often our prayers are full of "Gimme, gimme, gimme" and not enough "Thanks for what I have."
Thank you for this great perspective. Be blessed!
Hi Lisa! Popping in from Monday Mantras and now following with GFC. I'm going through an exciting series at the moment on my Christian mom blog at http://happymomshappyhomes.blogspot.com
I came over from A Cat Like Curiosity. I love the comparison to Jiminy Cricket, very clever. I love is my relationship with God. It is such and important relationship in my life. Thanks for reminding all of us this morning that you can have a personal relationship with God.
Debi
Lovely reminder, Lisa. I do make time in my prayers to praise and thank God but haven't thought about how I would feel if I had a friend who only wanted something from me. That really drives the point home for me and will help me to feel a bit more connected the next time I pray. Great Bible verse listing too! Very creative!
How many times have I been guilty of this! This is a good reminder. I want my requests to be seasoned with worship and praise, prayer for others before prayers for myself. Prayers infused with "Thy will be done."
I've been on the Jiminy Cricket side of things before. I'm sure I will be again. This is a good reminder to honor God in our prayers. Good thoughts here, Lisa.
I was having the same conversation yesterday about this - people do often only turn to God when they are in need.
Thanks for linking up :)
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
Oh this is convicting. I was once taught to pray ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, then Supplication. It helps me to order things that way. Sometimes by the time I'm done with ACT, the requests I had for "S" have kind of worked themselves out :)
It is amazing when we pause and consider if we are treating God like a wishing star. Your post says it so well. Thank you for sharing your story at "Tell Me a Story."
Never thought of Jiminy cricket in relation to prayer!!! I also try to follow ACTS like Courtney! Not always easy when there are so many pressing concerns and I have a notebook full of intercessions! Ever since I read blogposts, my intercessions have grown cause I find so many people need prayers. Blessings to you! patsy
What a captivating question, do we/I pray like Jiminy Cricket? Lots of prayers are like his wish, aren't they? But how elevating just that first request of The Lord's Prayer can become, not only to how we treat His name, but helping make our souls soar like the Eagle, as we stretch upward toward Him, instead of just scratching around in the chicken yard of life like A.W. Tozer said so many of us do.
And I really like that Alphabet of verses (including the X)! What a great idea! I'm sorry I missed this series that's almost over.
Thank you for a thoughtful, motivating post.
I'm so glad I visited here today. I'm just starting a study on prayer. I too have been convicted about the content of my prayers. Wonderful post!
Thank you for this, glad I visited your site from Playdates. Prayer is such a privilege! :)
What an awakening post and inspiring. I began my journey in my bible too . Studying using the alphabet and learn from God through the words that God is giving me. And i am on my third letter. My word is challenges. My entry to " tell me a story. From my blog: willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com
I remember wishing on stars when I was a kid. I'm glad I outgrew that. Like others though I'm afraid I sometimes forget to pray to thank Him for all He has done for me until I need something. I agree with you. I wouldn't appreciate anyone treating me like that and I wouldn't think God would either.
Thank you for sharing on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte
As you said, I always remember God when I’m in trouble. We all his children and he never leave us at any time; by the way I like this particular verse
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of self-discipline.
So good to know the Truth, the Word, and NOT confuse it with other statements or phrases or symbolism. In our present-day world it is hard sometimes to keep things in their right level of belonging and believing.
Thank you.
How fitting. I am doing a 21 Days of Prayer Series at my blog. Thank you for sharing and the encouragement at WJIM. Have a blessed week.
Ordinary Words...What a great idea, sorry I'm just learning about this now♫ Love your list, the meme and the exhortations to pray♥