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MONDAY THOUGHT 2/18/08

“Come on, God, pony up!  I just need one more million to make it to a million bucks!”  I know I get frustrated with God when He doesn’t deliver the goods I ask for.  I even say all the right words: “Heavenly Father, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who said whatever I ask in His name you will grant, please (fill in prayer request here).”
 
Then I realize that somewhere, somehow, I just don’t have it right.  That’s almost like saying, “God, if you bring the ball, we’ll let you play in the game.”  I just don’t think we’re doing God such a big favor when we tell Him to give us something.  I just don’t think we can buy with false promises of friendship and acceptance the stuff that God is offering.
 
Maybe, just maybe, we should change it around to something like: “Lord, thanks.  You know I need a lot of help, so I ask you to please give me what I need.  Thanks.”  And those are the prayers I’m fairly sure will always get answered…in God’s way, not ours.  So rejoice and celebrate this gift of a day, with all the blessings God has waiting for us.  — jri
 
“The idea is to open yourself up,
honestly and truly, to receive a
special grace from God.  That is
not the same as being ready to
close the door in God’s face if
God doesn’t satisfy you immediately.
If you do that, you’re not being
faithful or even respectful to God;
rather, you’re treating God like
some trained dog you expect will
perform tricks for you.”
    –    Anthony DeStefano
           (Ten Prayers God Always
            Says Yes to)