Devotionals

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Outside of traffic, nothing holds up this country as much as
committees. You realize that a camel is a horse designed by a
committee.

"Rote" means mechanical routine. Have you ever reflected on how
many things we do by mechanical routine during a day's time?
One that comes to mind is praying before meals. At times we may
be guilty of doing it because we're afraid we'll get indigestion if we
don't.

When we have guests in for dessert, I usually feel like I should
pray for forgiveness instead of giving thanks -- have you seen some
of those desserts? Praying before meals is something that we do so
often, that I'm afraid it becomes rote and we may not put much
thought into it. I'm guilty -- how about you?

Why do we pray before meals? Because Christ set the example, as
in Matt. 15:36 (niv), "Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
and when He had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to
His disciples..." If it's good enough for Him, it's proper for me.

How many times have you heard an offertory prayer end with,
"Bless the gift and the giver" or a church supper prayer end with,
"Bless this food and the hands that have prepared it"? These are
wonderful thoughts, but the next time it's your turn, realize that you
are really talking to God and that perhaps He would prefer hearing
something different for a change.

How about it, can we put some new joy in our prayer life and root
out the rote? To misquote Andy Rooney -- "I think God would like
that!"

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