Nougat 23

How do we feel about friendships that is based on what one person gets? I’ve walked away from a few such myself. As we chew on Today’s Holy Nougat, may we opt to assess our friendship with God.

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why Pray?

Why do we pray? To be seen by others and affirmed as the greatest intercessor? To be in a genuine relationship? Or for the perks it affords us? While it may be a bit of all, I sincerely hope that it isn’t all about being seen and lauded by others.

When we pray and get visible results in signs and miracles for ourselves and others, it is easy to get caught up in the hype. For others of us, it’s a more about being seen: because people of our caliber are socially or spiritually located. Perhaps that’s why we’re encouraged to get and use a prayer closet. For what we say in private may be more genuine.

Some of us have Jeremiah 29 motives. We’re seeking God’s face to deepen our relationship; and according to Jeremiah, we find God when we seek God’s face with our whole being. That involves lots of time spent in fasting, prayer and reading Scripture. I added fasting as that’s our act of sacrificial love towards God. It is when we combine all three that we find Jesus, the One Whom we seek.

Honesty demands that we do pray with the expectation of receiving a bit more than deeper relationship with Jesus. It’s worth noting that a deeper relationship is very likely to yield the reward of miracles and signs, as well as the answers for other things we need and pray for. In the prayer Jesus taught, He includes the request for ‘our daily bread’; in other words – that which we need for the moment. I believe that it’s for ourselves and others.

In the culture then it was the father who visibly apportioned gifts and funds, not the mother. Of course, this doesn’t discount God’s nurturing role – as Mother God is important when we need emotional support. Hence, asking God to supply our needs privately would realize a public gifting. And with the ‘public’ gifting, others may also come to the knowledge of God as Loving Father.

So why do we pray? May our motives bring glory to God.

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May all we seek be found in Christ