When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5 WEBIt was a hot summer day in the South and I was painting a house for an elderly lady, when she invited me in to have lunch with her. As we sat down at the table, I removed my hat and she said a blessing over the food before we ate. I try to always say a blessing over my food too, but this one I will always remember.
She folded her hands, her eyes closed, her voice changed, and she began to speak in a 1700s ancient english dialect. She prayed words that I had only read in Shakespeare, or in the King James Bible. I felt as if we were on the Mount of Transfiguration as she became a completely different person right in front of me, uttering long beautiful words that I barely understood. Even her southern accent seemed to take on an old English overtone, and her pronunciation changed. I watched her out of the corner of my eye to see if she would levitate up from her chair.
After what seemed like several minutes, her prayer ended and she became herself again. I felt like I had just seen something from the movie "The Exorcist" and I clenched my knife a little tighter for the rest of the meal. Really, she was just a southern belle that had learned religion by rote, and she prayed in King James English. You used to see a lot of that here. They thought they sounded 'Holier' but to me it was just 'Scarier'.
When you pray, be yourself. Do not make God scratch His head and say: 'Well he looks like Dion, but he sounds like Shakespeare? Dion is that you? What happened?' I am sure that God would understand, but He has not heard that dialect in a while.
Hypocrite means actor, someone impersonating someone else. God made you to be who you are. When you speak to Him, be your everyday self and do not be ashamed to pray because you do not have the fancy words that you have heard others use. They may be faking it in order to impress you.
You are who He made you to be and He loves you. When you pretend to be 'holier than thou' you are buying into a lie that you are not good enough, that God could not love the 'real' you, when nothing could be further from the truth. God has loved you for your entire life, through the ups and the downs. He understands, and He still loves you.
God knows who we are inside, sees us run to the bathroom, and watches us in traffic, so don't think that you will flatter Him with some pretty words. God is the Awesome, Omnipresent, Unchangeable, Loving, Merciful, and Patient, Creator of the Universe, and He made you. So be yourself, especially when praying. The superficial is everywhere, while the real thing is rare, and beautiful to behold.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for loving me just as I am. You made me and I am now here before You in prayer. It's me Lord. I just want You to know that I am thinking of You today and that I want more of You in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: For those interested in capturing or viewing photos of God's creation, here is this week's theme message from Creation Photographers: "Good morning Creation Photographers, thank you all for being a part of our group fun!! Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This week our fun theme will be 'Let Your Love Light Shine'. When at times the world seems so dark and cold, how do you show God's love? Our themes are open for interpretation as always, so be creative. You are also encouraged to post anything else that inspires you as well! My photos this week reflect my love of Heart blessings. It's how I let my love light shine! By capturing hearts in nature to share them with the world along with the reminder that He is always blessing us daily, we only need to take the time to look! Have a fantastic week everyone, and may God's love shine down on you always!" Here is the link to participate in this group:
Creation Photographers group > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
It's just me LORD. Amen
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for loving me just as I am. You made me and I am now here before You in prayer. It's me Lord. I just want You to know that I am thinking of You today and that I want more of You in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen Thank you
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for loving me just as I am. You made me and I am now here before You in prayer. It's me Lord. I just want You to know that I am thinking of You today and that I want more of You in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. Thank you Father.
Thank you God for loving me Amen
Amen! When you finally understand that you can not hide from God, He sets you free!
Amen!
Thank you for loving me, Lord. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. I love you Lord!
I have thought about this scripture a lot lately. I don’t want to be the one on the corner. When I’m at church and they give you the opportunity to pray at the altar, I don’t go for two reasons. One because The author is located just in front of where the band is playing and the music is so loud that you really can’t think of what to pray. But mostly because they are very few that go to the altar and I don’t want to look like I’m holier than everyone else in the church. If that makes sense. Also I feel like God has recently told me to tone it down on Facebook when it comes to their religious/question things that I posed. I am in college to get my bachelors degree in the ministry and I often make posts about the war between me and Satan and him fight me all the way to the pulpit. Then later I think about it it is as if I was bragging on myself. So I’m trying to tone it down when it comes to stuff of that nature. Please keep me in my family in your prayers four we are going through a hard time with my wife’s illnesses and me now been unemployed and looking for a new career. Thank you.
God bless you and your family my friend.
Prayers for you and your family, Amen.
Amen,thank you God for loving and caring for us.We love you.
Amen, I can only be Joseph, with my excess baggage and all. I am just as I am: a patient in a "Spiritual" hospital.
Amen!
Thank you Father, Amen.
Amen!
Praise God for his love Amen
:D Amen!!
Dear Father thank You for Your blessings, help me to be as close to You as You want. Hear my prayers as I talk to You today,in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
I loved your morning devotional, God bless you.
Love me dear God. Amen.
Amen!
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father I thank You for loving me just as I am. You made me and I am now here before You in prayer. It's me Lord. I just want You to know that I am thinking of You today and that I want more of You in my life, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray.