Matthew 6:5 “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
I try to avoid “preaching” through my prayers. There's a real risk I'd be praying to the wrong audience – people. It's like the little boy saying his prayers before bed one night. His mom said, “I can't hear you, son.” He answered, “I wasn't talking to you.” Real praying is talking to God from the heart. It's not usually fancy or pretty. It is often a struggle, desperate, and not worried about public critique, “Lord, if you don't do something, we're sunk!”
I suspect we've all heard someone telling us what he thinks we should do under the pretense of talking to God, usually with good intentions, but it's risky. However, I came across this one that I thought was too good not to share, so here you are:
The new pastor called on one of his older deacons to lead the opening prayer. He stood, bowed, and prayed most uniquely, “Lord, I hate buttermilk, and Lord, I hate lard, and I'm not crazy about plain flour, Lord, but when my wife mixes them together and bakes them just right, I just love hot biscuits!
Lord, help us realize that when life gets hard, when it's sour, or bitter, or tasteless, whenever we don't understand what you're doing, that we need to wait and see what you're making. After you get it all together and put it through the fire, it'll probably be something even better than biscuits. Amen.”
Pretty good sermon material, isn't it? I'm guessing that deacon thought the congregation needed that message, and took the opportunity to share it. After all, our perspective is pretty limited, and we often don't know how any particular event will fit into God's eternal plan. We do know and believe that whatever is happening down here in this life is preparation for what is coming in the Next. We should know that He knows what He's doing, and when He's done, it will be wonderful. It's a good reminder to us to take the long view. Like Peter and the Apostles, “...we have believed (faith-ed) and come to know (are certain)...” that God through Christ Jesus is in control.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Two requirements for the Called, Love God and Trust God. His “biscuits” will be so good, you don't even have to bring your own gravy! He's got this, so trust that He will work it together for Good!
