3 Words for Prayer

I want to propose THREE words that will help you in times of prayer.  I pull them out of Jesus’ teaching on the subject of prayer, as recorded in Matthew 5:5-8. The four verses are pools of wisdom and practical application in the subject of prayer. Many of us may cruise through these four verses in fourth gear and then drop down into second gear when we reach “The Lord’s Prayer” in verse nine.  I challenge you to read the following text slowly, hearing the words from the Master, God Himself in human flesh. He who is both perfect man and God, The Mediator between God and man, tells us how to pray. Wow!

Matthew 6:5–8 (NKJV)

5“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Volumes of books have been written on the treasure within these verses. But let’s shut off the stadium lights and use a spotlight to zero in on three lessons from Jesus.

1. Sincere.  This deals directly with the condition of the heart. In this text Jesus is condemning the religious leaders for praying to men rather than to God. Sincere prayer only seeks the attention and acceptance the Father God. The sincere heart not only seeks Him and His Will over its own will, but it also examines itself as a part of prayer. Check your motives and attitudes. Remind yourself that God cannot manipulated with sacrifices, pious good works, long prayers, or by evoking dead saints and repetitive mantras. Your prayers are only accepted in the presence of the Father by and through Jesus Christ (John 6:14; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-22). Just be yourself, after all He knows you better than you know yourself. This lesson overlaps into the next two lessons.

2. Solitude.  Jesus calls us to get away and find a private place to pray. Take your requests to the Father somewhere away from the attention and distractions of others and of this busy, noisy world. Once alone with Him, open your heart. Just you and Him; heart to heart; one-on-one. There are many reasons for a solitude time of prayer, all of which goes beyond the length of this blog. Jesus gives us one reason in our text, which alone is reason enough. He promised that “your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” How great of a promise is that?!

3. Simple. The Father isn’t impressed with fancy words or theological statements in your prayers. Yes, your prayers need to be theologically correct–meaning biblical. But don’t worry about complicated prayers, big words, and long, eloquent phrases. The Father already knows what is in your heart, just be real, just be you.

David’s Psalms are perfect examples of someone getting alone with God and offering up both sincere and simple prayers. But if you’re like me you may initially feel uncomfortable and struggle with how to verbalize what you’re feeling and thinking. The silence may even sound weird. That is okay because the God who makes and inhabits our hearts knows what we’re trying to say and He knows how awkward we may feel. And He’s fine with that; He’s the One inviting us to this place. So don’t feel inadequate or intimidated, just open up and start sharing with Him. Over time you’ll find yourself more and more comfortable alone in His presence and praying with confidence.

You can learn more on these three lessons and how to apply them with Jarrod Burrell as he discovers The Place of Prayer.

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Praying with Humility

It is rare these days that we hear of or see a repentant heart such as penned by John Wesley (1703-1791) copied below. We need more pastors and more spiritual leaders to be this kind of an example before the Body of Christ. We don’t need celebrities. We don’t need entertainment in the Church. We need examples of humility who will lead us away from worldly attributes and the “pride of life” – I John 2:16. We, that includes you and me, need to cultivate and nourish a humble heart.

The Psalmist prayed, “Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me (Psalm 19:12-13).”

Spiritual growth and maturity is not measured by one’s skills, gifts, charisma, popularity, or materialism (or the lack thereof). How about humility? How about one’s faithfulness to the Savior? Understanding who you are and who you aren’t, and living accordingly? I’m thinking of the progressive growth in the Beatitudes as a type of self-measurement.

Humble repentance; ask the Lord to help you develop humility in your prayers, in your walk before Him, and your life before the world.

Forgive them all, O Lord;
Our sins of omission and our sins of commission;
The sins of our youth and the sins of our riper years;
The sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies;
Our secret and our more open sins;
Our sins of ignorance and surprise,
And our more deliberate and presumptuous sin;
The sins we have done to please ourselves,
And the sins we have done to please others;
The sins we know and remember,
And the sins we have forgotten;
The sins we have striven to hide from others
And the sins by which we have made others offend You;

Forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all for His sake,
Who died for our sins and rose for our justification,
and now stands at Your right hand to make intercession for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Christian isn’t someone who repents one time and then never again acknowledges personal sin. A Christian is someone who never stops repenting. Does this sound like a contradiction to your faith that you’ve already been forgiven? The Apostle John didn’t think so. He wrote (I John 1:10) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” John tell us in the previous verse to, “confess our sins” because “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Let’s be clear on this repenting thing! Repenting is not a “work” by which the Christian obtains or maintains salvation. Repentance is a humble acknowledgement that I’m still sinning and still need the Gospel–100%. It is an expression of complete dependence upon the love and mercy of Christ Jesus, our propitiation (I John 2:1-2).

Why is repentance an ongoing practice to the Christian? Because he loves holiness and hates sin. Because he desires to please the Father and to follow his Master in truth and righteousness. Because he wrestles with sin but also knows that the power of sin is broken in his life. He repents out of godly sorrow and never, never stops trusting the eternal saving power of the Gospel that keeps him in Christ.

One reason that I wrote on this subject is because I am constantly working on this virtue in my life. A personal aid that reminds me of who I am and who I am not, and helps me to get my mind off of me and dependent upon my God, other than the scriptures, is a book of Puritan prayers and poems– The Valley of Vision. I use this book in my morning prayers. There is nothing like it out there. Check it out.

Three Responsibilities for the Christian Writer (Part II)

Picking up from last’s week’s post. These also apply to every type of occupation and/or hobby.

#1. Walk / live / work in the Light

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked (I John 2:6 ESV).”

The context of this scripture refers to a life walking in the light, as He is in the light (I John 1:6-7). This light, in its context, is purity, holiness, and for us–godliness. Whatever we are doing, it should be in the light, the light of godliness. Whether work or play, it should be framed by our faith and Christian worldview and displayed in godliness.

How does this relate to writing? I need to ask myself: Is the content of my writing godly or godless? Does my writing promote and/or glorify ungodliness, deceit, or other things that are of the darkness? I may have characters and scenes that have such attributes, but what emphasis do I put on them? Do I make characters who live ungodly lives to be heroes in my stories (Proverbs 3:31-33)?  Is a worldly lifestyle glorified (I John 2:15-17)?

Wouldn’t you agree that Christians have the responsibility to make truth and error clear, as opposed to cloudy and uncertain?

II Corinthians 4:2-3 ” But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing (ESV).”

Whether you realize it or not, we are a living epistle read by all. We need to commend ourselves to every reader’s conscience in the sight of God.

#2. Biblical Accountability

Last week’s post touched on the need for my wife to keep me in line if and when the two of us need to visit a local “Christian” bookstore. Why? When I see some of the books that are being pushed (promoted) under the guise of Christian literature within the Christian community my blood pressure hits the red zone. I emphasis “some,” not all books.

A person could conclude by what is sold under the banner of Christianity that it doesn’t matter if a book (fiction or non-fiction) is biblically accurate and spiritually healthy. At any given week some of the more popular “Christian” books (that’s just a disguise) are at best spiritually unhealthy and/or aberrant. At worst, they are heretical leading readers to embrace non-biblical ideas about God, the work of Jesus, and the foundational truths of the Christian faith.

Someone may ask, “But do they sell?” “Is the author well known?”

Sadly, these types of questions have ruling authority in a good portion of the Christian marketplace.

Several years ago I was in contact with an executive of a chain of Christian bookstores regarding a certain book that they were displaying on their “in your face best seller rack.” The book was indeed selling like Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Lattes, yet it was full of heresies (from universal salvation to a cross with no saving power, to an assassination of the character and nature of God). I was told that the executives had initially pulled the book after realizing its errors, but decided to put it back on the shelves after assessing the great demand by the public. I was told that although they had realized the book’s errors, they decided that it could help people. Really? Because my children want to eat poison, I warm it up and put it on their plates and give it my blessing? Where is the responsibility to the truth?

I’ll leave the details of the conversation alone, you get my point, especially since I have just finished my morning coffee and the caffeine wants me to launch into a righteous indignation rant along with other self-righteous sins. It’s best that I move on.

We should care about the Body of Christ, and we should be defenders of the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). If you are a Christian writer who references scripture, in any way, go the extra mile to make sure that you are interpreting the scriptures correctly. We never want to be lazy in the use of God’s Word and miss handle it. We do have an obligation to accurately represent the Christian faith, as well as how it should be lived out.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (ESV).”

#3. Glorifying God in All that We Do.

This should be both the means and the end in our work. Does God care how many “Christian” books are sold, or … does He care if we honor His Name and uphold the banner of truth? As Christians we need to ask ourselves if what we are writing is glorifying the living God or something else … or someone else.

Here are some questions to check the “Glory Meter”—who is getting the glory in my writing. How do I handle receiving compliments and praise for my work? How do I handle criticism? Do I pray before, during, and after I write? Am I depending on the Spirit of God to help me in this endeavor? Who do I want to please first and most with my writing?

I Corinthians 10:31-33 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved (ESV).”

The Last Word

Someone may respond with, “But sometimes you have to compromise to sell books. This is how the system works. If I don’t give the market what it wants, I’ll never sell books. If I can’t sell books, I might go out of business.”

Popularity should never out-weigh our responsibilities, our love of truth, and our reverence to the Name of the Holy One. We must remember that what is right is more important than what works!

“O’ Father, Hallowed be Thy Name in all my endeavors!”

A Christian Writer or a Writer Who is a Christian (Part I)

A “Christian writer” or “a writer who is a Christian,” is there a difference? Some may say that one refers to the purpose and content that is written–being a Christian theme, and the other phrase emphasizes the writer’s personal faith and has nothing to do with what he is writing. I agree that a person can be a Christian writer and not write books about biblical themes and lessons. But are there responsibilities that come with being a Christian writer? Aren’t there responsibilities that come with being a Christian?

Whether you write books, run a business, or (fill in the blank) you’re a Christian first in whatever you do. As a Christian, your first identify is defined by Whose you are. You may be identified as a writer or a brain surgeon, but those labels are down the list in comparison to who (and what) Jesus has made you. Therefore we cannot profess a Christian faith and throw it in the desk drawer when we go to work or go to play. Jesus called us to be the salt and light of the world and that responsibility is not to be stuffed into a drawer or dropped out of sight in how and what we write.

My next post will focus on three responsibilities of a Christian writer. It doesn’t matter if you write on Christian themes or not, these responsibilities hold true. In fact the three responsibilities apply to brain surgeons and the fill in the blank people. The reasons for being told to behave before entering the store come to light next week in Part II .

My wife is exactly the person I need in my life. Thanks, Hon.

Phil Keaggy Inspires me to Write and Reminds Me …

Dennis Phil Darrin Jeff 3Last weekend I had the privilege of meeting internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer, and vocalist Phil Keaggy.  My brother Dennis, also a long time Keaggy music admirer, arranged to have Phil play at a ministry/charity fundraiser in Champaign, Illinois. I’ve enjoyed Phil’s music for over 30 years so there was no hesitation on my end to travel to Illinois and meet Phil and his longtime friend and road manager, Darrin.

If you have attended a Phil Keaggy concert, you know the feelings and questions that go through your head, like: “How does he do that?” and “How does he keep blowing me away every time I see him in concert?” and “The man just keeps getting better!”

God has graced each of us with unique possibilities. I use the word “possibilities” because it is up to each of us to do something with what God has given us and where He has placed us. Whether He’s given gifts that can be formed and received by the physical senses, or intangibles such as wisdom and insight–that counsels, or leads, or encourages, or a heart that is a father to the fatherless, all gifts should be honored and held with gratitude. The list of gifts and how the sovereign God intertwines and places them in and among us can seem limitless. This truth is both liberating and inspiring.

The responsibility to cultivate and express the gift(s) that God has given should be with a humble, joyful, and serious heart. It is from that basis that God has intended that we use His gift(s) unselfishly. We have most likely heard all of this before, so why aren’t we pushing ourselves in this direction?

That wasn’t the hammer. Ready for the hammer to drop now?
If a person is using his abilities to praise himself, then he has missed their intent. If he neglects the intent and the responsibilities that come with the gift(s) that has been given, then dishonor to the Giver and neglect towards others are the actual fruit from his labors. Or I should say, fruit from his lack of labor. You and I must begin with recognizing that our abilities and strengths are not self-created, but are from the living God.

I Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Psalm 119:73 “Your hands have made me and fashioned me;”

Also, do I believe that I am the end purpose of my writing? Are you the end purpose of your (fill in the blank) gift? Really? The idea that God’s reason for creating me is merely to please me or get man to notice me is … is … laughable and shallow and futile. How limited and self-exalting is that purpose? The reason is to please and give praise to the Father, through the Son. This is the ultimate prize. Secondly, my place in the Body of Christ is to contribute to the whole, that is, the rest of the Body.  Our gifts are for those within the Church that we may be salt and light, manifesting the invisible kingdom of our Christ to the world. That purpose trumps my selfish purposes on a scale that cannot be measured.

I have to preach this “responsibility” message to myself now and then. The busyness of life and the default mode of selfishness are consistent deterrents. It goes something like: “I need to get focused and finish what I know that I am currently called and gifted to do.” The word “discipline” begins ringing around in my head. Keeping up this blog is one example that applies. You and I must learn to be faithful stewards of the grace given to us by our God.

My final word on this issue.
If you’re a writer, write with a purpose, a God-given purpose. Whatever you do, do it to glorify the Father, through the Son, Jesus Christ. Make what you do worth something beyond a temporal pat on the back.

I Cor. 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Col. 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Col. 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Oh, and don’t forget: Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

Back to Phil Keaggy.
One of the inspirations that I have gained from Phil Keaggy over the years is that he knows where his musical gift comes from and he uses it to glorify the Gift Giver—Jesus Christ. Thanks Phil, for being an example and a reminder.

Hold on a moment, I need to flip the LP (Play Thru Me) over.

And yes, at the concert I couldn’t help myself. I picked up two more CDs. I believe that Phil has over 50 to his credit, so I still have a few on my list to pick up. Christmas is coming soon, right?

If you are unfamiliar with Phil Keaggy’s music, check out his website (http://www.philkeaggy.com/). Check out this video with Phil using his looping affects and singing a reminder to all of us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz8KfYD67CI.

If you’re a Keaggy fan, what is your favorite LP/CD?