Thursday, April 13, 2023

Reflection - Dennis DeHaan - A Wise Way To Pray

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 48, "A Wise Way To Pray", Page 56.
By Dennis DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author
 
 
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches. - Proverbs 30:8
PHOTO: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches. - Proverbs 30:8
Read: Proverbs 30:1-9

Plato, the Greek philosopher, borrowed from an ancient poet a prayer that he said best expresses the way we shortsighted mortals should pray. Although the prayer was to a pagan deity, it has a lesson for us. It goes like this: "Give us those things which are best, whether we pray for them or not; but command evil things to remain at a distance from us, even though we implore them (beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something)."

The insight of that philosopher is also seen in the Bible, only with a clearer and more specific focus. Centuries before Plato, Agur fully understood that wise praying must be based on truth and a desire to bring glory to the Almighty. He asked God to grant him two things before he died: "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches" (Proverbs 30:8).

Agur longed for integrity and contentment. That desire included his willingness to have God veto anything that might cause him to become self-sufficient and forget the Lord, or to make him a thief and thus profane God's name (Proverbs 30:9).

Plato focused on what is best for us, but Agur went a step further. He wanted what was best for himself, but only if it would reflect God's glory. That's the wise way to pray.

Biblical prayer seeks God's glory, not our gain.
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Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches. - Proverbs 30:8
Read: Proverbs 30:1-9


 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches. - Proverbs 30:8
PHOTO: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches. - Proverbs 30:8
Picture posted by Pooja Manda, Pinterest
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Proverbs_30_8.png
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Plato, the Greek philosopher, borrowed from an ancient poet a prayer that he said best expresses the way we shortsighted mortals should pray. Although the prayer was to a pagan deity, it has a lesson for us. It goes like this: "Give us those things which are best, whether we pray for them or not; but command evil things to remain at a distance from us, even though we implore them (beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something)."


 Plato, the Greek philosopher, borrowed from an ancient poet a prayer that he said best expresses the way we shortsighted mortals should pray.
PHOTO: Plato, the Greek philosopher, borrowed from an ancient poet a prayer that he said best expresses the way we shortsighted mortals should pray. Although the prayer was to a pagan deity, it has a lesson for us. It goes like this: "Give us those things which are best, whether we pray for them or not; but command evil things to remain at a distance from us, even though we implore them (beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something)."
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The insight of that philosopher is also seen in the Bible, only with a clearer and more specific focus. Centuries before Plato, Agur fully understood that wise praying must be based on truth and a desire to bring glory to the Almighty. He asked God to grant him two things before he died: "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches" (Proverbs 30:8).


 The insight of that philosopher is also seen in the Bible, only with a clearer and more specific focus.
PHOTO: The insight of that philosopher is also seen in the Bible, only with a clearer and more specific focus. Centuries before Plato, Agur fully understood that wise praying must be based on truth and a desire to bring glory to the Almighty. He asked God to grant him two things before he died: "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches" (Proverbs 30:8).
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Agur longed for integrity and contentment. That desire included his willingness to have God veto anything that might cause him to become self-sufficient and forget the Lord, or to make him a thief and thus profane God's name (Proverbs 30:9).


 Agur longed for integrity and contentment.
PHOTO: Agur longed for integrity and contentment. That desire included his willingness to have God veto anything that might cause him to become self-sufficient and forget the Lord, or to make him a thief and thus profane God's name (Proverbs 30:9).
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Plato focused on what is best for us, but Agur went a step further. He wanted what was best for himself, but only if it would reflect God's glory. That's the wise way to pray.


 Plato focused on what is best for us, but Agur went a step further.
Biblical prayer seeks God's glory, not our gain.


 Biblical prayer seeks God's glory, not our gain.
Reflection - Dennis DeHaan - A Wise Way To Pray
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 48, "A Wise Way To Pray", Page 56.
By Dennis DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author



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Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 48, "A Wise Way To Pray", Page 56.


Links


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