Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few. –Ecclesiastes 5:2.
I think we, as Christians, can sometimes be a little flippant with our prayers to God.
There needs to be a healthy dose of respect for Whom we are addressing. Yes, the cross tore the curtain in the temple in two (Matthew 27:51) which allowed us to boldly come before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), but God is still God.
God is not our heavenly butler, there to answer our every whim. He is not there at our beck and call. He is our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly. We are His children. Do we expect our own children to treat us with respect as their earthly parents? Then how much more should we give respect and honor to the Creator of the universe!
Besides, He knows our every need before we ask Him. He wants to have fellowship with us–His creation–through Christ’s shed blood of the cross. The price He paid to redeem you and I is more than we can possibly imagine. That, too, is worthy of our respect, awe, gratitude, and most of all, love.
May He Increase!
Wise words, Joe. Francis Chan, in his excellent book “Crazy Love” (which we’re studying in my small group at church) starts chapter one (‘Stop Praying’) on exactly this theme. I.e. God is huge and infinitely good, we are not and so shut up, be still and come to know His infinite wisdom.
It should be more of a two-way street. Yes, we are to make our requests known to God (Philippians 4:6), but so often we don’t bother listening to His answer! In fact, I heard recently that God answers every prayer: it’s just that we don’t seem to acknowledge the “no” answer. We tend to think that He didn’t answer us, but “no” is an answer and quite frankly, more often than not, I think it’s the right answer! He knows what we need more than we could ever imagine.
Thanks for stopping by Ultraguy!
Joe, well said, i have been in conflict with some who are taking “going boldly before the throne” way out of context.
Will, would love to hear your thoughts on this from a pastor’s perspective. Maybe a future Willohroots post?
I hope I am not misunderstood..but feel I must say this: The purpose of every prayer you ever offer is that God be glorified, exalted, honored, lifted up, whatever way He can be. And this, by the way is a protection against abusing the sentimentalism of “Father.” To say “Our Father” and “our Father” alone might be a little bit dangerous. You might overuse that idea of father. And then “Abba Father…papa…daddy,” you might understand that intimacy but not understand the balancing and the balancing is, “Yes, You are my loving Father, but hallowed be Your holy name.” The “fatherhood” should always be balanced with those which represent His awesomeness.
Ike, no misunderstandings here. Thank you for the addition. It needed to be said.