Scripture: Exodus 23:13 (the Message)
“Listen carefully to everything I tell you. Don’t pay attention to other gods – don’t so much as mention their names.”
Thought for the Day: Echoing again the words of Dag Hammarskjöld from his book, Markings:
Your cravings as a human animal
do not become a prayer
just because it is God
whom you ask to attend to them.
We have all seen it at one time or another—where someone makes an outrageous prayer request that in no way resembles the Jesus of scripture, yet because it was directed to God and asked in the name of Jesus, it is assumed to be acceptable. Or even worse, when an individual does something that is abusive or unjust, but sets it in a heartfelt prayer, it appears blessed by God. Prayer was never to be used as a vindicator of our actions or desires. Prayer is not for the purpose of justifying what we have done, but to connect us with the One who will challenge us when necessary; who will question our motives; who will outright tell us that we are wrong and need to repent.
In tomorrow’s Prayer Launch Study (noon and 6:30pm), we will look at prayer as discernment. Again, this is not for God to discern our will. It has often been said, if God appears to approve everything you want, it may not be God to whom your prayers are actually being directed. Join us as we seek God – God’s direction and God’s dream for our lives.
Prayer: Help me to listen, Loving Lord. Help me to quiet my mind and actually listen beyond what my wants are requesting. Amen.
MEN
Don’t forget — Tonight
(Tuesday, Sept. 15)
Cramer Retreat Center
(1800 Meadow Edge Lane).
Simple dinner at 6:30pm
Study at 7:00pm
