"Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer." Hymn lyrics by Joseph M. Scriven (1820-1886).
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New Living Translation).
While it is true that we should feel comfortable in approaching God in prayer, we should remember that God is holy and we are not. God is perfect in all His ways, and we, as humans, are flawed due to our limitations. We need His forgiveness on a regular basis.
However, our mistakes and sins are provided for in what Jesus had done for us in His death and resurrection. As a result, we can approach God with a humble confidence that we have been forgiven for what had once separated us from Him.
Jesus tells a story of two men who approached God in prayer (Luke 18:9-14). The one was superior in his attitude to the point of thanking God that he was not as bad as the other man next to him. The second man came with a broken and contrite heart, recognizing his frailties and sins in the presence of a holy God. Jesus taught that God heard the second man's prayers, while the prayers of the first man went unanswered.
Today's lesson aims to remind you that we should never have a superior or lackadaisical attitude when we approach God. He deserves our respect, reverence, and undivided attention. Check out what the prophet Isaiah wrote about people who come to God with a humble and contrite heart:
"The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: 'I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.'" Isaiah 57:15 (New Living Translation).
God wants to restore whatever may be lacking in your life. He wants to revive your weary soul, but it is important to come to Him with contrite and humble hearts.
Action Step:
- Can you think of a time when you talked to God in a flippant attitude? Maybe you were not paying attention or giving God your full attention as you talked to Him?
- Can you see from the scriptures above that God rewards those who approach Him with the proper respect and awe?
- Let's agree that from now on we will talk to God, but that we will make sure to pay attention to the way in which we talk to Him. With God, your attitude is important.
Review:
1. Prayer Is Simply Talking And Listening To God.
2. Prayer Should Flow From A Contrite Heart.
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