"How many, too, have found a prayer upon their lips! It is a very common thing with those who pray in prayer-meetings, and those of us who pray in public, for our lips to run much faster than our hearts move, and it is one of the things we need to cry to God to keep us from, lest we should be run away with by our own tongues. And, sometimes, words will come at a very rapid rate when there is very little real prayer conveyed by them. This is not as it ought to be with us, and we must look into our hearts for the desire to pray..."
This part stood out to me in light of our recent prayer meetings. Our tongues if not controlled can be dangerous. I want to be praying with sincerity and not just on the whim of my tongue. If the desire to pray is not in my heart and off the tongue, it could be out of a desire to impress rather than glorify God.
What thoughts do you have? Do you find it easier to pray from the head/tongue or the heart?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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3 comments:
I think it much easier to pray with my head/ lips in a prayer meeting and easier to pray from the heart when I am alone. The temptation to impress always stands when others are around but by myself I am aware of God. Perhaps then this is why Jesus instructs us to go to our "closets" and pray.
Though, then again, my heart is lifted and encouraged to pray more when I hear others seeking the Lord...an oxymoron at best, but may the Lord change me to always pray with my heart guiding my tongue and my head!
I am much like Kayla in this respect. It's easy for me to pray from the heart when I'm alone, but to pray with a group brings with it the necessity to fight temptations to impress. Very well put, Jordan. The thing that seems to boggle my mind, though, is this: it's easy to pray from the heart when it's simply me and one other person. It doesn't matter who the other person is, but for reasons beyond my comprehension, this is the case.
i also agree with kayla...in a sense. i am altogether challenged in the area of prayer which is why i am so excited about this study and (if i'm ever able to go :) the prayer meetings.
i am also presented with the temptation to impress others while praying in public. i am looking forward to exercising a prepared and purposed heart in public and private prayer!!
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