Replies

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Mindless Prayer
August 3, 2011

Sometimes I am ashamed of my prayers. Too often I hear myself using familiar phrases that are more like mindless filler than thoughtful, intimate interaction. One phrase that annoys me, and that I think might offend God, is “Lord, be with me.” In Scripture, God has already promised not to leave me.

God made this promise to Joshua just before he led the Israelites into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:5). The author of Hebrews later claimed it for all believers: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (13:5). In both cases, the context indicates that God’s presence has to do with giving us the power to carry out His will, not our own will, which is generally what I have in mind in my prayers.

When we are doing God’s will, He will be with us even without our asking. If we’re not doing His will, we need to ask for His forgiveness, change our course, and follow Him.

God Himself is with thee—
Thy Savior, Keeper, Friend;
And He will not forsake thee,
Nor leave thee to life’s end. —J. D. Smith

May our prayers not be mindless, but instead mindful of God’s will.

Read: Joshua 1:1-9

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. —Joshua 1:5

Bible in a year:
Psalms 63-65; Romans 6

Gracious LORD, we come in the attitude of worship, praise, honor, respect, and love; we ask for thy grace, we are so easily deceived, by the ways of this world, and we become entangled in deceptions of Satan, all in the name and idea of doing good. Help us Father, to not do the wrong thing; we do not want to become enmeshed in the affairs of this life that are not of thee. Help us day by day, guard our going out and our coming in, let us we a beacon to light to those around us. Helping them to know thee. We know it is not our self, but thee, that draws men to thee. We are the hands, feet, vessels and voice for thee to work through. Thank thee LORD, for allowing us this purpose and filling us with thy spirit that shows us truth, in Jesus name. Amen.