Thursday, July 28, 2011

Pray Without Seizing

                We were heading up to the Rangeley Lakes Region here in Maine for a few days of R & R earlier this week and on the drive north the subject of prayer came up.  I don’t remember how it came up, but my nine year old daughter took the occasion to inform us that her devotional in the morning was all about that.  She said that she learned we are supposed to “pray without seizing.” To which she was astonished when we all had a good and hearty bout of laughter.
                She ordinarily is a very proficient reader but we explained to her that the word she pronounced “seizing” is actually pronounced “ceasing”.  We are supposed to pray without stopping.  We, in our minds, in our thought life, can enjoy constant unbroken heavenward dialogue.  We lovingly praise the Lord, petition for others, pray about our needs, and “yes” we do it without “seizing”.  Without grabbing, without clutching our fist, without confiscating what we think we want.  We pray saying, “LORD if you would be pleased with it, I’d like to go and do this or that.” And “LORD if it be your will I would like…”
                We bring our requests to God, we have not because we ask not, but we have to be careful not to ask amiss and pray selfishly, share your heart with the LORD, leave the answer up to Him.

“He must increase, WE must decrease.” By the way, He will and does answer.  Sometimes He answers in very clear, profound, and specific ways.  But if you’re going to expect specific answers you’ll need to get specific with your requests.

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