Interesting Green: Reflection - Herbert Vander Lugt

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 22, "A Bad Prayer That's Good", Page 27.
By Herbert Vander Lugt, Our Daily Bread Author

PHOTO: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. - Psalm 145:18
Read: 1 King 19

Have you ever prayed a bad prayer? I have. As a youngster, I often selfishly asked the Lord to help me win when I was in a contest. He didn't always grant me my request, but neither did He punish me.

The prophet Elijah gives us a striking illustration of God's way of answering a bad prayer. Elijah had experienced a spiritual high in seeing God send fire from heaven (1 King 18:30-40). Then, God had answered his prayer by sending rain after a 3-year drought (1 King 18:41-45).

But when Queen Jezebel sent a messenger to threaten Elijah's life, his elation was quickly squelched (stopped) (1 King 19:2). Instead of trusting God, Elijah fled into the wilderness. There, he prayed a bad prayer: he asked to die (1 King 19:3-4).

What was God's response? He showed amazing grace. Knowing that His servant needed food and rest, He provided them. Then He gave the prophet a message of encouragement and assigned him new duties to perform (1 King 19:5-18).

We all pray bad prayers sometimes. But even a bad prayer contains some good if it acknowledge God and expresses our dependence on Him. So let's talk to God no matter how we feel. If we pray honestly, even a bad prayer can open the door for Him to work in our lives.

In prayers, God hears more than words - He listens to your heart.

Picture posted by Yuna
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmLHD8fB9EjcDBrRVzp8a_M2aF7_aHgSlayzzTTJClHrnNt_UpaVBk2GbuFnaeotBaXfQEMnkhn2JT1ttA5mnGIZNh7oBu8ImtnhgaoTEVVBzBbQfjLm-0upFjehm3498rgeKJYvubrqOPhPm2xrcE6SHg597GGD-Xv6ddk1Sevu-IffZ294lA3nH/s1080/ebbcfbfc39d4192a472620cdced48309.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/eb/bc/fb/ebbcfbfc39d4192a472620cdced48309.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/773915517203963354/

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. - Psalm 145:18
Read: 1 King 19

PHOTO: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. - Psalm 145:18
Picture posted by Peakpx

Picture is enlarged by AI-powered image upscaler from depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/upscaler.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=button2&utm_campaign=ntf_upscaler&utm_content=en&iterable_campaign=2704095&iterable_template=3704971

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bv30w0ghzJsnaS5S2N7ZfYfeB2MwhdpCBDijqzzX4XHua2iHdLie65j4o0YNl8S4mybdbNnzvViqeSGL0XJ878I2CeNBDB9uVMVbsNHRid50vK5Zdpbn3zCxIBOX-aFz_vIfeE75ctyoSvo311Yhtpb7Qv8tOx73aHQM0pZF4jHfejliSb6wWrmR/s1010/jesus-easter-christ_1-826x1010.jpg
https://w0.peakpx.com/wallpaper/790/19/HD-wallpaper-awaiting-christ-s-return-1-art-holiday-illustration-artwork-jesus-easter-christ-painting-wide-screen-occasion.jpg
https://www.peakpx.com/en/hd-wallpaper-desktop-fosud

Have you ever prayed a bad prayer? I have. As a youngster, I often selfishly asked the Lord to help me win when I was in a contest. He didn't always grant me my request, but neither did He punish me.

PHOTO: Have you ever prayed a bad prayer? I have. As a youngster, I often selfishly asked the Lord to help me win when I was in a contest. He didn't always grant me my request, but neither did He punish me.
Picture posted by someecards

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQHt-Mcd44Z7LCAcgIQWa2n2JZe_np52uM-b6IhiB0mAqwoQLYnC15_C9i_JpklasuBDBUu0VNDC2S0OBvi9oCmpkg4cXcWEyEjFKRO1yI6LdxfB5N5RtcZ3e7x-oC8JA7vhjKRipu6mJ7-0fg4ThuU7BghnfuVRWvgLUrPbC3bAyotvnlaHfY3BI/s840/1332528748000_4185169_1-840x588.jpg
https://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1332528748000_4185169.png
https://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMi00Y2RhNmYwZDMwZjIyODQ4/?tagSlug=cry-for-help

The prophet Elijah gives us a striking illustration of God's way of answering a bad prayer. Elijah had experienced a spiritual high in seeing God send fire from heaven (1 King 18:30-40). Then, God had answered his prayer by sending rain after a 3-year drought (1 King 18:41-45).

PHOTO: The prophet Elijah gives us a striking illustration of God's way of answering a bad prayer. Elijah had experienced a spiritual high in seeing God send fire from heaven (1 King 18:30-40).
Picture posted by SEARANEWS@searanews on 25 July 2021 at 10:12 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpvnstiq6NC_puZ5ppHsEsIxjoVXySbwCvObTbpXkdK3KZL0gaFoprVQTEQ8FUTAspfIQFRlCvsrhFrtScErG-wkXtGyN38ELW0NF85b-DHITmprpUBbIh4pRK4PIUgxJVqn-2nOVEV1JgaGRzXnTJ9LTqYIqTJUOg3Y1DHvw7_qCCQH_XS4y9WqL/s1024/E7G4o8WXIAADxla_1.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7G4o8WXIAADxla.jpg
https://twitter.com/searanews/status/1419118380695572480

PHOTO: God had answered his prayer by sending rain after a 3-year drought (1 King 18:41-45).
Picture posted by Jehovah’s Witnesses

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gdoYXXpecqo5C3EApkKpBaaTUd24_7WuvpYPIILsAd0aG2gnaLcgZ-hc5KY3DR0xFWmTXoJwm_m8ZwH_5gogvAmcKDydm-_E8zalgtBLG7qhmE9PfGM3fFfZRIOGCQUeeL9H-xblI855zt3-oJbIb0RRlsJmaSSYpMaHJjPTevRpxiXZ0O-UTNBv/s1200/1102013257_univ_cnt_3_xl.jpg
https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102013257/univ/art/1102013257_univ_cnt_3_xl.jpg
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/true-faith/the-prophet-elijah-prays/

But when Queen Jezebel sent a messenger to threaten Elijah's life, his elation was quickly squelched (stopped) (1 King 19:2). Instead of trusting God, Elijah fled into the wilderness. There, he prayed a bad prayer: he asked to die (1 King 19:3-4).

PHOTO: But when Queen Jezebel sent a messenger to threaten Elijah's life, his elation was quickly squelched (stopped) (1 King 19:2). Instead of trusting God, Elijah fled into the wilderness. There, he prayed a bad prayer: he asked to die (1 King 19:3-4).
Picture posted by Claudia - Elijah . . . went running into the wilderness

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61A9FpQ6SOi8t9E5X1-695WxtnzYVvuOV7Q3XX6tttUdfo8i6xrT-MzrEaSfpSN9jAa3n3EZTlGrbvSovshK0SlF1RhmmcCNo4bOlM1qc2RRXY_YkFZSAQ-FO3BUHPdCpSqMn0pVYITihsmznqefDcAhALYXAKqp2xTb5S-gQx1ilqaX9zcZWMPhK/s1360/878b342e75ebe9936081723c6bfda788_1-1056x1360.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/87/8b/34/878b342e75ebe9936081723c6bfda788.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/539235755364026062/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-gods-call-receiving-and.html

What was God's response? He showed amazing grace. Knowing that His servant needed food and rest, He provided them. Then He gave the prophet a message of encouragement and assigned him new duties to perform (1 King 19:5-18).

PHOTO: What was God's response? He showed amazing grace. Knowing that His servant needed food and rest, He provided them. Then He gave the prophet a message of encouragement and assigned him new duties to perform (1 King 19:5-18).
Picture from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QDZx__ciENSFjaUnXJDQH81VcTb9pFjdwte9QNxvi0IBBUn1yZA3w8NE7TWaIcL5BQE327kCPnuuhXeUuuUniM1fZqCgArE7g_-G41Rfkzj-Ye0TGBHa2tElZGDgQ-oyAVJGPCU-eA9WTIVFrRpX8r_KlV4zxJV1awCgjJ51txtU2Az_F6qT5JC/s2914/091.Elijah_Is_Nourished_by_an_Angel.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/091.Elijah_Is_Nourished_by_an_Angel.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:091.Elijah_Is_Nourished_by_an_Angel.jpg

We all pray bad prayers sometimes. But even a bad prayer contains some good if it acknowledge God and expresses our dependence on Him. So let's talk to God no matter how we feel. If we pray honestly, even a bad prayer can open the door for Him to work in our lives.

PHOTO: We all pray bad prayers sometimes. But even a bad prayer contains some good if it acknowledge God and expresses our dependence on Him. So let's talk to God no matter how we feel. If we pray honestly, even a bad prayer can open the door for Him to work in our lives.
Picture posted by Posters Qriativo - Ezekiel 34:26

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94pd0tV50lCg3QrcXYJSflTS5QVS_b69Zyvq04tBedt0uKoH-3toDvqcdw3d1pdAMHQKUniOBn_x-j4-wXpawvtZVVHwDMxxwCHPweYUpi3HJ3Z3LBxTra5qrybX1fcMRgyfrH24Z_ozi_sWTWmBKw4xSl8EDIfIQzD-E16u3R1KMk7wGje9jOGeS/s1104/a8694d85ec8a7b98571a12ad317c9be5_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a8/69/4d/a8694d85ec8a7b98571a12ad317c9be5.jpg
https://br.pinterest.com/pin/427419820890714225/

In prayers, God hears more than words - He listens to your heart.

PHOTO: In prayers, God hears more than words - He listens to your heart.
Picture posted by Vicky Sehgal 🌹🌹

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9eYRl9CQLrvJL3Hl8UCql47SkIJW_8fr-AbAAiCr7HRc2jKgZ0zmFs27QiW6EFLSpv4Co-0W8g8OvgSLvgyQSsWCkejXMJICeUV465FFZ6qkObjpqEbEE3pe7Fmh0xVy-BwhW77Wu0bg9FHBxMwKqB8UhyfDo7LgU-drn3vGKvcMJkZfwfXLkCDv/s1224/a51c80aa4c4be62cabffb72d0a353033-708x1224.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a5/1c/80/a51c80aa4c4be62cabffb72d0a353033.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/531706299769696601/

PHOTO: Reflect and Pray
God does not always answer yes
To every prayer I pray;
Sometimes He answers, "No, My Child.
I have a better way." - Sherbert
Picture posted by Lizbe Van
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiflGSel6M-14B8xbpzIWIjczeH_baiTTdq3h6Q-6FfNR-ub_ptehgXrV75RjvDlki7l0xI0mQ_jI6jOuJwIAipAXbFb_jv4Bk-LtWmp8p-sfU3ktIA9AA2_C_uHPxgZAWC936_thtb9sPbBaJkl0Zyo7-DNJmUwPHMVtIWN8lFEal3gUX6Awon3X/s960/ace6609d3a795823f50fc40f90e05fd9.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ac/e6/60/ace6609d3a795823f50fc40f90e05fd9.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/2181499812715936/

Reflection - Herbert Vander Lugt - A Bad Prayer That's Good
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 22, "A Bad Prayer That's Good", Page 27.
By Herbert Vander Lugt, Our Daily Bread Author

Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html

"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html

Reference

Links

Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html

1 King 18:30-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+King+18%3A30-40&version=NIV

1 King 18:41-45 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+King+18%3A41-45&version=NIV

1 King 19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+King+19&version=NIV

1 King 19:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+King+19%3A2&version=NIV

1 King 19:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+King+19%3A3-4&version=NIV

1 King 19:5-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+King+19%3A5-18&version=NIV

Ezekiel 34:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+34%3A26&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Psalm 145:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A18&version=NIV