December 21, 2005

Thoughts About Prayer

I had some thoughts about prayer. God is perfect in every way and he is also holy. My understanding of Christian theology is that God cannot be in the presence of sinful man. To those that Christ saves Christ washes us of our sins. We are now clean of our sins and can then enter into heaven.

However, while we live we are still in our sins. The picture I have in my mind, when we pray, is a beggar before God dressed in filthy rags. Those filthy rags are our sins. Since we are still in our sins we have no claim on God for help. Anything God does for us strictly out of His mercy. Mercy, by definition is not required. If it’s required, it’s not mercy.

My thought is when a beggar comes to me dressed in filthy rags. How can I ask God for help in prayer and not help the beggar. Before God I am not better than the beggar.

For me, this was a minor epiphany. I have thought about it ever since. If you think I’m barking up the wrong tree, I would be interested in how you interpret this concept.

Posted by The Vorlon at December 21, 2005 3:51 PM
Comments

I think you are right on the money. The wonderful thing about prayer is that God hears you every time you pray. He actually knows what you are going to say before you ask it.

Prayer is a very interesting subject. E.M. Bounds has written several books on it. The entire collection isn't that large and is only about 250 pages.

One thing I've noticed about prayer is that the devil tries everything to keep you from praying. He'll try to cloud your mind with different things or, if you are laying down, will quickly try to make you go to sleep.

I don't think God looks at us as beggars when we come before him. We are his children and he wants to please us whenever we can, provided we follow his rules.

Posted by: Reb Orrell at December 21, 2005 4:37 PM

I don't know if he looks at us as beggars, but i believe that's what we are. We have nothing we can offer and are reduced to begging. But that's just my view.

But it makes me think a little differently about a beggar that might come to me.

Posted by: Ted at December 21, 2005 5:59 PM