Having spent a goodly number of years in the classrooms of various State Secondary Schools in central Scotland, I have observed different kinds of pupils. Reading an article earlier this week reminded me of one particular type, who might well be referred to as the "There's only the teacher and me in the class" pupil. This pupil has a personal conversation with the teacher - almost as if there was no-one else in the class. For example, even a rhetorical question posed by the teacher will illicit an immediate response from this pupil. While the classroom is filled with his/her peers, this pupil lives in a little world of his/her own - and the teacher!
However, I would suggest that a pupil like that has something to teach some disciples of Jesus about the important subject of prayer! I wonder if you have ever thought that, with millions of other believers praying as you pray; speaking with Father God (to Whom, by the way, all prayer should be directed! We pray to the Father, in the Name of the Son, by the leading of the Spirit!) at the same moment that you are speaking with Him; your prayer is perhaps less important? After all, I know that my personal prayers, while important to me, and to those for whom I pray, are not in the same "class" as those of a brother or sister in the Lord Jesus who is undergoing torture.
That, of course, is totally wrong! As we talk with our omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, God we may be confident that He is giving us - each and every one of us - His full attention! Sometimes, in class, I would ask a general question, and twenty hands would be raised. I am but a human, and could ask only one pupil to provide the answer. Our God is far above and beyond our human capabilities. He is God! He hears, and can listen, to each one who comes to Him in the name of the Son. He directs single-minded attention towards our praise; our petitions; our concerns.
That, of course, is totally wrong! As we talk with our omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, God we may be confident that He is giving us - each and every one of us - His full attention! Sometimes, in class, I would ask a general question, and twenty hands would be raised. I am but a human, and could ask only one pupil to provide the answer. Our God is far above and beyond our human capabilities. He is God! He hears, and can listen, to each one who comes to Him in the name of the Son. He directs single-minded attention towards our praise; our petitions; our concerns.
When you pray, it is as if you are the only person in the world who is doing so! Even although millions are "bending His ear" in prayer, He listens to each one, individually! Quel Dieu! (What a God!). May we take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity to commune with the Creator of all that exists.
Let us pray!
Let us pray!
1 comment:
A loud Amen and Amen!
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