Sunday, February 29, 2004
Peter May (Christian Medical Foundation, 2004) has this to say :
"Elijah mocked the 450 prophets of Baal, tauting them to pray louder in case their God was lost in deep thought, was busy, travelling, or just asleep"...
"James reminds us that there is a moral factor in prayer. He said the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, and cites the prophet Elijah as an example. He implies that he had no special powers, but was "a man just like us"
Jesus offered a similar warning in the Sermon on the Mount :
"When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard becase of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
The Scriptures offer many examples of great prayers. They are not shopping lists for 'goodies'. They have to do with the relationship of God to his distinctive people. Consequently, they are concerned with asking for forgiveness, wisdom, courage, mercy, understanding, guidance, discernment and strength to do the right thing."
"Elijah mocked the 450 prophets of Baal, tauting them to pray louder in case their God was lost in deep thought, was busy, travelling, or just asleep"...
"James reminds us that there is a moral factor in prayer. He said the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, and cites the prophet Elijah as an example. He implies that he had no special powers, but was "a man just like us"
Jesus offered a similar warning in the Sermon on the Mount :
"When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard becase of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
The Scriptures offer many examples of great prayers. They are not shopping lists for 'goodies'. They have to do with the relationship of God to his distinctive people. Consequently, they are concerned with asking for forgiveness, wisdom, courage, mercy, understanding, guidance, discernment and strength to do the right thing."
