Thursday, June 5, 2008

Trivial Prayers

Is there any such thing as a trivial prayer? Sometimes I feel as though I’m taking up God’s precious time with some of my prayers. Considering the war in Iraq, widespread hunger and disease in third world countries, crime in our own, gas prices today, and more, some of my concerns seem downright impractical.

Does he think it’s silly if I pray that I can get dinner together on time when I’m timing the prep and cooking of several different dishes and sides after a hectic day? Is it trivial when I pray that I can get up at a certain time? Is it trivial when I pray to find the funds for shots for my 10-yr-old almost-obese gray Bengal tabby (Tigger)? Is it trivial for me to pray that an envelope with sugarless chewing gum and other goodies reaches my sis in a nursing home before the weekend so she can have a few creature comforts?

I used to think so. Then I realized that, to God, we are his children. Nothing that is important to us is less important to him. My reassurance is in the story of the wedding feast at Cana. Was it trivial for Mary to ask her son to help the host avoid the embarrassment of running out of wine for his guests? Apparently not.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us so much that you take our prayers seriously.

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