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How could this Cat prayer be changed to focus on God's glory?
"Lord, would you open another job opportunity for me. I don't get any respect here and I'm not making enough money to pay our debts. I hear so many stories of how you've blessed others with better positions and more money and I'd like to be successful too. I want my parents to be proud of me and I want to give my family the life and opportunities we've all dreamed of. Besides, there are no other Christians here besides me."
Here's what we think:
Dog Prayer: Lord, I don't know if you want me to stay here or look for some other opportunity - but I do know I want whatever I do to glorify You. Whether I have a lot - or little - doesn't matter to me as much as using every life experience as an opportunity to bring greater glory to you. With so few Christians here, I'm willing to serve you as a 'missionary' and example to them - but God I need you to stake a greater claim on my life, my attitudes and my desires so I can do that. On the other hand, if you want me to go elsewhere so I can find strength and encouragement from others, I'm willing to do that too. All I know at the moment is that I'm struggling and want to find my peace, my joy and my strength in you... Cause me to be content with what I have, grateful for all You provide and to live my life, wherever I am, as a testimony for you to those I work with, as well as my family.
Our Analysis
The first prayer is certainly self-centered by showing a greater desire for money and fruit of success than anything for God. The pray-er assumes that because He is a minority in the place he works that this must not have anyplace in God's will. He's so consumed with what he wants that he can't imagine God might want him right where he is. The second prayer submits the pray-er's will to that of God's and wants God to work through Him. The second prayer concentrates on a relationship with God and being used by God.
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