So Many Petitions

How big is your God? How busy is your God? How many times a day do you reach out verbally to Him? Of those times, how often do you think He responds? Do yo really believe God has time for your piddly little difficulties? And if you believe He does, how many do you think He intercedes in? Do you ever consider keeping a record of when you believe He responds and when "you" think He ignores?

Lots of questions about our communication with God but very important. In chapter 16 of the Old Testament book of Exodus, God explained to Moses how He would send Manna down from Heaven so that they would be able to eat bread in the morning. He also provided meat (the quail) for evening and every family member was satisfied. At first they did not understand what it was that was laying on the ground every morning like the "dew of the morning" however they began to eat and be satisfied.

In the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:11 Jesus told them to pray like this: "Give us this day our daily bread..." This is NOT a complicated saying of Jesus' and it was not intended to be so desperately misunderstood. Probably the best interpretation of this phrase in the Lord's Prayer is simply "please Lord, provide those provisions that are so essential for life and the maintenance of life each day." Sometimes we try to read too much into God's speaking to us but it really is simple. We ask, and God provides as it aligns with His will for each of us.

"Give us this day, our daily comfort." "Give us this day, the strength we need to be your people." Give us this day, Your perfect will for this day in our lives." Give us what we need today, so that when we rest our heads on our pillows at night, we know that we have followed Your plan for us."

Now there are those (especially of TV) who will tell you to pray asking that God, "Give us this day, a new Cadillac." Or "Give us this day, enough money so that when I come home at night I have not run out of it." Or "Give me this day, just a little more than my next door neighbor." This is in direct conflict with a God who wants us COMPLETELY DEPENDANT UPON HIM.

Can you say, "Give me this day, whatever it is that is pleasing to You." And when you recognize that He has done "exactly" that, please don't forget to thank Him for His work in you.

"Give me today, that which will help me let everyone I pass today, be inspired to look for You!"

Dave