Let me put it this way. I believe in God and I think I have been too rational in my belief. However, sometimes I do exhibit some superstitious behaviours. Here is a little secret of mine.
I discover that most of the time, events turn out to be just the very opposite of the thoughts in my mind, whether they casually pop up or I deliberately think about them. So, I develop a strategy to think intensely of the very opposite of what I need. Then things turn out favourably my way. For example, I need to catch an LRT which I cannot afford to miss. Then I intensely think in my mind that I will miss it. In the end, I catch it. Of course, many times favourable thoughts slip into my mind unguarded and things turn out unfavourably. And of course, I do ask for God's favours and they are granted.
You can immediately point out the flaw of my so called "discovery". I simply remember events that confirm my "discovery" and forget those that refute. I have to admit that sometimes I do not think scientifically enough.
I discover that most of the time, events turn out to be just the very opposite of the thoughts in my mind, whether they casually pop up or I deliberately think about them. So, I develop a strategy to think intensely of the very opposite of what I need. Then things turn out favourably my way. For example, I need to catch an LRT which I cannot afford to miss. Then I intensely think in my mind that I will miss it. In the end, I catch it. Of course, many times favourable thoughts slip into my mind unguarded and things turn out unfavourably. And of course, I do ask for God's favours and they are granted.
You can immediately point out the flaw of my so called "discovery". I simply remember events that confirm my "discovery" and forget those that refute. I have to admit that sometimes I do not think scientifically enough.
John tells us the proper way to ask for God's favour.
And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him (1 John 5:14-15).
We should seek God's will and ask according to His will. That is to say, whatever we ask of God, we ask according to His will. Then we have obtained the requests. Notice the tense. When we ask, we have obtained the requests, not we will obtain. This agrees with what Jesus says in Matthew.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (Matthew 6:33).
Jesus assures us the same promise in Luke.
And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
Therefore, we Christians have every confidence in our prayers. Seek God's will. How and where? In prayers and in the Bible.
And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him (1 John 5:14-15).
We should seek God's will and ask according to His will. That is to say, whatever we ask of God, we ask according to His will. Then we have obtained the requests. Notice the tense. When we ask, we have obtained the requests, not we will obtain. This agrees with what Jesus says in Matthew.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (Matthew 6:33).
Jesus assures us the same promise in Luke.
And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
Therefore, we Christians have every confidence in our prayers. Seek God's will. How and where? In prayers and in the Bible.
In prayers, we don't just ask and ask all the time. Rather, stay calm and peaceful in His presence. Listen to His call instead of babbling our wants. Our life has been too hectic and there is no room for God to communicate with us. Let go. Let His words infuse in us and live them.
I have been babbling for too long. I will shut up now.
I have been babbling for too long. I will shut up now.
My Lord, Your will be done. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment