October 31, 2023

Quote – “True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance.  It is far deeper than that – it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.”  - Charles Spurgeon

What it means

I know, I know…each one of you knows this more than I do, and could probably lead this particular devotional, but just humor me, okay?

You guys get it – I know you all grasp the importance of prayer, and the power that our prayers contain.  You take it seriously, both in Sunday morning as well as during the week when things come up that need to be lifted up to God, and you don’t hesitate to contact your brothers and sisters in Christ to join you in pounding on the gates of Heaven with your need…and you should.  That’s what we are commanded to do, so job well done, each one of you.  Each one of you inspire me to take this seriously as well…by your faith, by your love for The Lord, and by how you live your lives day in and day out.  I have grown so much in my faith by simply observing you, so thank you for that!

What it means to me

I’ve never thought of prayer in terms of a “spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth”, but I think it makes perfect sense and would absolutely believe that to be a true statement.  Many people are uncomfortable when they are asked to pray in public, either for blessing a meal, or perhaps even for purposes of interceding for someone in need.  We tend to get too hung up on how we sound – like Spurgeon said, we try at times to make it sound like a performance in how deep and spiritual we can make it, but God, unlike us, isn’t too concerned with how polished and rehearsed we can make it sound.  It is a big deal – indeed, we are communicating with The One who created it all and is in charge of it all, but at the end of the day, it is a conversation between you…and God.  It doesn’t have to sound pretty or formal, it doesn’t have to impress anybody but God and God alone…and He is impressed when His children curl up on His lap and talk to Him, irregardless of how scholarly it sounds.

Continue to take this wonderful privilege of prayer seriously and have regular chats with God – I know you will, and it will make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you, trust me.

Love you, Happy Halloween! Bring any leftover chocolate candy to me on Sunday if you please 😊 Talk to you on Thursday!

In Christ,

Brian