Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Imago praying

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Matthew 6:7-8
Jesus said, "When you pray don't keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

(And from The Message) The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

Jesus shares his simple prayer, what we call the "Lord's" prayer. Often when my mind is racing I pray this prayer. The Message's rendition is striking just because it's in different words than I have known forever:

Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; do what's best - as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Jesus summarized the commandments: "Love the lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." How dedicated am I to the goal of loving him with all my mind?

My mind has a mind of its own and often doesn't cotton to my direction. "Shut up!" I say, and it doesn't. "Quiet down," I say, and it gets louder. "Be still," I say, and nothing changes.

When Jesus tells me to stop babbling, he doesn't just mean out loud. This rush of unconscious thought (often subtitled "worry") does no honor to our relationship.

So to keep my mind at bay I continue praying by opening my mouth to see what God has to say. He knows what I need before I ask him, and He will always give me bread, never stones (even when I think I want the stones).

The voice I hear is mine, but the words have a thoroughly different effect than if I were just talking to myself. The more I practice this, the more I experience God's peace and direction.

God gave us many tools to communicate with each other and with him. He made us each in his image (imago dei) and wants us to claim our part in his relationship with each of us.

Less babble. Less worry.

More love. More power.

Lord, over and over you meet me more than halfway and free me from my anxious fear. When I look at you I feel my face breaking out into the warmest smile. When I am desperate your angel sets up a circle of protection around me while I pray, while I take time to just open my mouth to taste your goodness, open my eyes to see. --- Psalm 34, The Message

Devotions Archive

Imago praying

Tuesday, February 23, 2010