If human beings were perfect, there would be no prayer; I’m not saying no need for prayer; I’m say no prayer. All prayer is reaching out for help, which often involves chatting with God. In the Garden of Eden, before the eating of that apple, Adam and Eve and God didn’t talk. They were in perfect harmony.
It is accepted that we should start prayer with praise and thanksgiving, which we might say was the status back in the garden before Eve ate the apple. Then we move into confession, asking for forgiveness, and intercession. Church liturgy follows this progression, which is an excellent reason to attend church service.
But I am one of those pray-ers who often forgets the praise and awe part when I am not intentional about it. Gratitude, thanks to my mother, is an easy part of my prayer. In fact, expressing gratitude is one of the ways that help me step out of myself, and stand in awe of God’s creation. Forgiveness isn’t a big part of my prayer—Hmm, I need to think about that. God calls me to intercession. I know this is a God call because never could make up such a thing, and because I slip into it consciously and unconsciously all the time.
It is accepted that we should start prayer with praise and thanksgiving, which we might say was the status back in the garden before Eve ate the apple. Then we move into confession, asking for forgiveness, and intercession. Church liturgy follows this progression, which is an excellent reason to attend church service.
But I am one of those pray-ers who often forgets the praise and awe part when I am not intentional about it. Gratitude, thanks to my mother, is an easy part of my prayer. In fact, expressing gratitude is one of the ways that help me step out of myself, and stand in awe of God’s creation. Forgiveness isn’t a big part of my prayer—Hmm, I need to think about that. God calls me to intercession. I know this is a God call because never could make up such a thing, and because I slip into it consciously and unconsciously all the time.
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