A Simple Prayer

It’s a rather simple prayer found in Psalm 118.25, “O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success.” There has never been a time when we could do without God’s saving touch and blessing. I know there are times when we don’t think we need God and certainly times when we live as if God doesn’t exist, but the truth remains, we need God.

Though we act independently, yet there are times when we get ourselves into a pickle or two, and really need God’s help to get out of it. The recession we’re in has taken a toll on all of us. Some of the decisions we made a short while ago are now haunting us. It could be the debt we’ve added on or the mortgage that is now upside down with our house values. We thought prosperity was great, but the recession reminds us that nothing lasts forever, except the Lord. Our money can’t save us. Nor can our possessions or any other material thing we hold onto. What will get us through this life is God’s saving touch. We need to lean on Him, not away from Him. The temporary things of this world often mask the real need of our hearts. But with these things being removed one by one, they reveal the truth that God is all we need.

Our world is rapidly changing, and while mankind’s need for God hasn’t changed, we now live in a world which does not want to hear about it from us. I see this in the recent debate over prop 8. Not that everyone who voted for prop 8 were Christians, but a lot were. Actor Tom Hanks called those who voted against gay marriage as “un-American.” I think it was the most American thing we did. We are a democracy. The issue has been debated twice and voted on twice. But our world is subtly moving towards quieting those who dissent with the way of the world. Though biblical values are viewed as hate speech by some, we still have a message to proclaim. It is a message of hope and love because God still is in the business of saving and blessing.

If we are to experience God’s blessing, we must live life God’s way. Too often we want God’s best yet are unwilling to do what God says. That will need to change, first with us who believe in God. If we’re unwilling to do it right, then why should the world listen to us or more importantly to God? So a simple prayer becomes a challenge. Lord save me- completely. Not just a guarantee of eternal life, but transform our hearts and minds too. Lord bless me-in measure to my obedience. That we may see God in our own lives and that others may see God at work within us. May our prayers and lives rhythm that God may be praised.

Blessings,

Pastor Pete