Friday, June 8, 2007
Psalm 42:9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me?"
DAD, YOU GOT A MINUTE?
Just like a son talks to his dad, prayer is talking to our heavenly Father. It's a simple point, but one that is missed by some. Prayer is not simply thinking Christian thoughts. Prayer is not reviewing worries in our minds. Prayer is directing our words, whether with mind or mouth, whether in praise or request, to our God.
That's why if we say the Lord's Prayer in the church service while thinking about the game that's going to be on later, it's not really prayer. That's just babble. Speaking without our hearts behind our words is worthless. When we come to God with our genuine problems or our heartfelt thanks and express those things to Him, then we pray properly.
In Psalm 42 a believer prays, "Why have you forgotten me, God! Why am I always crying and oppressed by the enemy?" To God he speaks of his downcast soul, a soul that is troubled and weak. He speaks of his bones being in agony as he is mocked by his enemies. He says that his thirsts for God. The Psalmist is pouring out his thoughts and feeling to God. He speaks like someone might speak to a best friend, or like a son speaks to a father with whom he can be completely open.
Be like the Psalmist. Bring your honest emotions to the Lord. He knows your inner thoughts already. Lay them out on the table between you and Him in prayer. Bring your hard questions and ask them. He knows you wonder about them already. Show Him your trust in Him, by speaking your doubts and questions to Him with truth and full honesty. Ask Him to quench your thirst for Him. Ask Him to take your doubts away. Then wait and watch as He hammers your question marks into exclamation points on the anvil of His Word.
