Me, My, Me, Me, & Me~

Good morning, all you precious and blessed children of the Most-high God.

Last night one of Rayray's college buddies visited, and over the years I have really grown to love these kids, who like all of us, are trying to live their lives and figure out their purpose.  

So when I sensed the opportunity to get all Biblical, I flat out asked this young man if we could pray before he left.  I kind of chuckled when he automatically stood up and made the prayer circle formation. (He remembered all those times I would "politely" encourage them to say grace before eating.  Okay--maybe I did mention one or two stories of people who ate poisoned food but only the one who prayed was spared a cruel and agonizing death.  Rayraywould always say that I was indicting my own cooking).

Nevertheless, as we stood in our little circle, I asked what he wanted for himself and he said: "I do not feel comfortable asking for myself, but I would like for God to help my mom, dad, and brother."

I prayed for him instead.  It grieves me when people say to me that they don't feel right praying for themselves, and I hear it so often that it's time to set the record straight.  I am not sure where this notion that praying for oneself is somehow wrong or self-centered, but it's out there and it's capital "C" Crazy!

As always the Bible is our infallible guide for living, and it very clearly states--in more than one verse--that we can and should pray for ourselves.  The best verse, however, to drive this point home is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10, "Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, "'Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!'"  And God granted what he asked."

This is such a fully-loaded verse, but notice the me, my, me, me, and me structure.  It was all about Jabez praying for himself.

And let's not overlook the very last part of the verse: AND GOD GRANTED WHAT HE ASKED.

Could it be that praying for ourselves is actually the best thing for our families?  That when we walk in peace and protection and joy and mental stability it has a way of positively impacting those around us?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Your Word is clear that we can and should pray for ourselves.  And most importantly, You grant our requests.  We lift up our voices with Jabez's and pray that You would bless us and enlarge our borders.  We pray that Your hand would be with us--guiding us--and that You would keep us from harm.  In Jesus name, AMEN~