I'm listening to Norah watch "Tigger's birthday party" video. (I don't know the real name of the video). I am struck by Tigger's response to all the things he wished for on his birthday. He wishes for pogo sticks and banana splits and so forth....AND when he doesn't receive these things he asks everyone the same question: "Did I do something wrong? i blew out my candle, right?"
Tigger's wishes and his response are a bit how we approach our prayers with God. I pray them- God makes them happen. AND if they don't happen...I must have done something wrong. God's servant Job is told this by his friends throughout the book of Scripture by his name.
Is this really how God works? Most people even attribute the quote: "God helps those that help themselves." as found in scripture. In reality that was said by Benjamin Franklin a 18th century deist. So what then? I pray and I pray and God doesn't seem to answer my prayers. If God did answer my prayers my friends, family members, congregants and would never suffer from Cancer, fall on troubled times or be inconvienced in any way.
Job's lesson throughout lots of conversation with 'his friends' and with his God is: how we talk about God is an important aspect of what it means to follow God. After being constantly bombarded by his friends with the theology (God talk) of 'you must have done something to deserve this' - Job has a breakthrough when he meets God. He states very simply - 'Lord, I have heard of you by the hearing of my ear but now I see you face to face.' In this reality we begin to understand that God is not our personal ATM for prayer withdraws to fulfill the things we hope for in life but that God has drawn near to us to be present and live among us. Thank God for that
Tigger's wishes and his response are a bit how we approach our prayers with God. I pray them- God makes them happen. AND if they don't happen...I must have done something wrong. God's servant Job is told this by his friends throughout the book of Scripture by his name.
Is this really how God works? Most people even attribute the quote: "God helps those that help themselves." as found in scripture. In reality that was said by Benjamin Franklin a 18th century deist. So what then? I pray and I pray and God doesn't seem to answer my prayers. If God did answer my prayers my friends, family members, congregants and would never suffer from Cancer, fall on troubled times or be inconvienced in any way.
Job's lesson throughout lots of conversation with 'his friends' and with his God is: how we talk about God is an important aspect of what it means to follow God. After being constantly bombarded by his friends with the theology (God talk) of 'you must have done something to deserve this' - Job has a breakthrough when he meets God. He states very simply - 'Lord, I have heard of you by the hearing of my ear but now I see you face to face.' In this reality we begin to understand that God is not our personal ATM for prayer withdraws to fulfill the things we hope for in life but that God has drawn near to us to be present and live among us. Thank God for that
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