“This, then, is how you should pray: . . . Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:9 & 11 (NIV)
Before I ascend my mountain of requests, I need to ask myself, what is my ultimate goal for having these things? What do I intend to do with them once I have them? The fact I have to face is this: everything I desire may not be good for me. Perhaps I should consider another writer’s words, “We should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.” That is certainly reason to stop and consider carefully what I am asking from God.
The very magnitude of this asking issue is enough to overwhelm me. In addition, if I am not watchful I will lose my balance in asking. It is possible to ask for too much BUT it is also possible to not ask for enough.
To approach God with requests that have no higher goal than selfish pleasure is a direct route to greedy self-deception. I need to guard my heart against such spirits and attitudes.
Dear Father, thank you for the material blessings of life. Thank you for desires, which you have placed in my heart. Now I entrust myself to you. I know that you are able to do far more than anything I can ask or even think. Enable me to surrender to the Holy Spirit working in me so that you may receive glory now and forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN
Let us praise God for his blessings and guard our hearts against greed,
Pastor Smith