Please and Thank You

So, since yesterday I have been thinking about prayer. Like saying grace for instance, does that "mean" anything to God or is it just a nice pause for us to remember the Source of all. I think food seems to taste a little better and conversation seems to come a bit easier as we put everything in its proper perspective in those moments. But is that it?
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Then what about ending prayers in "In the name of Jesus" to somehow make them "valid." Like God will grant our request because I use his code words. Is my intent to really come before God relying on Christ or is it just to manipulate God?
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What about when you ask for things and then you should immediately thank God because they are done, will be done, if we have faith? Isn't that a bit presumptuous? Or just stupid? What makes MY will God's will? And I don't even want my will, since that is usually based on selfish, nearsighted motives.
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Just sorting it out. It just seems silly for me to ask for things and here is why:
When I was at my most hopeless, I prayed for God to let me die. I knew I was as dead inside as a living person could be and I just wanted to be released. I didn't know how things could change. Everyone else seemed perfectly OK, but I wasn't getting it, like some deformed farm kitten born to relatives that are too close genetically. I knew there was peace after death, and I prayed with all my being for it. I actually did all the little human manipulations to make a "good" prayer. But I never died. Instead, God gave me life.

Comments

heartlikeariver said…
"Then what about ending prayers in "In the name of Jesus" to somehow make them "valid?"-
There is a need for prayer to be undergirded and surrounded by a heart that is submitted to and praying in the name of Jesus. One need not end their prayer with any kind of specific words, rather the whole prayer is offered up in the name of Christ. No code words, mantras or magic spells when it comes to our Heavenly Father, rather a humble and contrite heart.
For the Christian: Hebrews 7:24-26 "because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

"It just seems silly for me to ask for things"-
God has sovereignly designed prayer to be a means of grace through which He acts, within our lives and the lives of others, in ways that He might not have if there was no request. We can bring our petition before Him with the confidence that He is loving and kind and responds to these requests, yet always in such a way that is best for us and brings Him glory.
June 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
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