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How could this Cat prayer be changed to focus on God's glory?
"Lord, I'm in such deep debt and can't seem to make any headway in getting back out. Two of my credit cards are already at their maximum limit, the price of gasoline keeps going up, I've got that payment coming due on the car and the lending rate is going up on the mortgage. I'm almost at my wits end and I don't know what to do. Please send some help... let me win the lottery... or something! -- I don't know how things have gotten this way -What are you doing, Lord? "
Here's what we think:
Dog Prayer: Lord, I'm under a lot of financial pressure right now. I remember asking you for certain things I thought I couldn't live without - things that would make me happy - things that I thought I needed. But, now when I look back I realize it's only You that can given me a sense of contentment and joy. I haven't found it in any of these things. I'm so sorry that when you said "No" to my many requests for things that wouldn't satisfy, I turned to someone (my bank) that would say "yes"... and now I'm so heavily in debt. Father, please forgive me quest for things, my yearning for something besides you and give me wisdom and opportunity to pay back everything I owe - even if it means selling the things I bought. People know I'm a Christian and I just don't want to discredit you by my own actions.
Our Analysis
Obviously, the first prayer isn't concerned about God, his glory or the pray-ers own personal relationship with Him -- it's only focused on God getting them out of trouble and getting to keep everything they wanted. The second prayer accepts personal responsibility for the pray-ers own actions, submits to God and seeks to renew a right relationship with Him. The second one desires to make things right with others as well as God and fears dishonoring God's name before others.
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