Yesterday, we wrote the last comments on the last verses of Psalm 119, the longest prayer/chapter in the Bible. And it was a good, long tedious study, wasn’t it? I was convicted, encouraged, and engaged by the chat the Psalmist had with God. The longest prayer displayed the Psalmist’s ever changing mood swings coupled with life transformation, from the inside out, by God Himself, working through him. The Psalmist was lamenting one moment then immediately his words turned to rejoicing. He was honest. We should be so honest. God knows anyway. He is God and we are not.
I am also reminded of a childhood of growing up in the church. There was a man in our church that was a LONG pray-er. The kids (and grownups) dreaded it when the pastor would ask him to pray…especially if we were standing up. An eternity seemed to pass by while this man preach-prayed, lamented and blessed everyone he could think of during his prayers.
After a long sermon, with our stomach’s growling, I remember praying myself, “Please God, not today, do not let our pastor call on Brother Tom to pray.” “I am so hungry!” (I was very young.) Pa-leeeeease, Lord, let your people go…home.” God did not answer that selfish prayer that day. Or did He? After the last song was sung and I’m beginning to smell Grandma’s fried chicken in my mind, just waiting for us, at her farmhouse, satisfied that God would answer my prayer, Brother Tom was called on to pray. What?!
I actually began to listen, in my frustration, at this man’s soulful praying. It sounded pretty much like the Psalmist’s prayer, as I think about it today. Looking back, I remember now in my adult thinking, that this man was a former pastor with hurts in his family life. He had words from God that healed and blessed in his laments. He literally cried out to God in portions of his prayer. This was a man who was honest with God and blessed others as he prayed…”bless the lowly janitor who cleans the church every week”…see, I remember.
So, even though it takes some of us a little longer to express ourselves to God…and to others, we should patiently listen for honesty more than anything else. God does.
Dear Heavenly Father, Cleanse me. Help me to lay down all pretense and just be honest with You…and with myself. I will grow and mature at a better pace when I do. Renew a right spirit within me. And lead me on, moving forward from childhood and childishness to childlike, eternal faith in You. You are my everything! I know Brother Tom is now with you, tell him thank you for me. In Jesus Name, Amen
“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10, NIV
He (Jesus) said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15, NIV
