Devotionals

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Are You There God?
© 2014

by


Stephen A. Peterson


When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:3 (NIV)


During the Battle for Fallujah, Iraq, a young Marine knowing that the house to house combat was going to be fierce, took a moment to pray. “Jesus,” he prayed. “I’ve not been a very good Christian since the 8th grade. So if you can forgive and protect me, I’ll do my best to worship you as I ought, pray as I ought and live the Christian life as I ought. I gotta go now but thanks for listening to me. Amen.”

For some of us, we may understand why this Marine prayed this prayer. Like the Marine, we only recognize the existence of God when our lives are threatened, when we are in such deep trouble and need immediate help. Of course, God will forgive him no matter what he did in his past!

In both the Old and New Testaments, God is revealed as merciful, loving, kind and forgiving. Yet, how often do we forget these facts in our daily lives? It might be a good idea to stop, put down our computers, cell telephones and other communication devices and consider how truly important daily prayer is. Unlike our human constructed devices, prayer is free of charge requiring no devices except the use of our brain to get in touch with God who will listen any hour of the day or night.

The next time you are in a tight situation, looking for quick answers, or complaining about how bad things are in your life, stop, listen and think to yourself, “What is my approach to God? Do you really have a prayer life? When you pray is it only because you want something from God? And when you pray, are you impatient? How about sending God a little more praise? He has already provides you more than what you deserve. How about some prayers of thanksgiving? How about prayer with some good news? And another thing, how about taking some time off to listen to what God is saying to you? The most valuable thing you have in your possession is your relationship with God. Everything else is most unreliable. Remember this, Christianity more than any other religion is more than just a religion. It is a relationship. Relationships deserve interaction between the persons involved. God will do His part. Now what about YOU?


Prayer:

Almighty Father, encourage me to pause, pray and listen to You all the days of my life. Help me to know that You are a loving and forgiving God who wants only want what is good for me. Amen.

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