{The Biggest Lie in Church}
We all do it.
Say these 3 little words . . .
Write these on people’s facebook status . . .
Send them a note assuring them we will . . .
Praying for you.
What a lie.
Sometimes we say this with good intentions, other times we know we never will.
This morning a friend text me at 4:30am to ask for prayer. I wanted to text back praying for you. But, really? Was I really praying for you at 4:30am?? No.
So I got up. To pray. During my prayer time, the LORD led me to repent of this small, common, well-intentioned lie I tell people all of the time. I confessed my sin, my neglect of prayer, and my apathy of not going to the throne of grace on behalf of others. I wondered . . .
Does this little lie anger God? Grieve Him? Sadden Him?
How often do I actually pray for people when I tell them I’m “praying for you”?
Do we as a people offer prayer more than we actually pray?
Why? Why is the hardest place to be, my prayer place?
Why is it such a struggle to come, rest, listen, confess, praise, petition, and pray?
Christ died to reconcile us to have relationship with the Father.
He died to give me a chance to enter in. So why do I stay away?
Why do I neglect my meeting time with the most important One?
“My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt 21:13).
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned . . .” (Nehemiah 1:4-6)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Two years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about saying those words to anyone that wanted prayer. I missed the mark and most the time. Now after dealing with my own battle of restoration, healing, more pain etc. I wonder do people really stop right then or put others on a list to go back later that day? Do people truly pray for me? Now I don't say those words unless I truly pray right then.
ReplyDelete1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 - to be there for each other and "pray without ceasing".
Thank you for your blog and words shared Melissa. The last post too as I needed them today.
So funny. I read this post after commenting on the most recent post, that I was sending up a prayer for your friend. Thankfully, I do not have to feel convicted because as Sara commented, I did it right then. That is the key. Thank you for your always encouraging and challenging posts.
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