The word we all pronounce incorrectly ...
And also, a meditation on thankful prayer this Thanksgiving
The Pun
The Prayer
There is nothing remarkable about believing in God. There is nothing exceptional about being a person of prayer.
The demons believe in God- and shudder. (James 2:19) And anyone who believes in God naturally will cry to Him for help when at the end of their rope.
“Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; They call for help because of the arm of the mighty. - Job 35:9
Anyone can believe in God and anyone can ask for His help. Rare is the person who moves beyond seeking what their Creator can give and moves into seeking the Creator Himself.
Anyone can ask god why life is unfair. Unusual is the individual who asks why there is any spark of joy in the darkness of life at all.
Anyone can ask for guidance and direction in the fog of uncertainty. Uncommon is the one who is thankful for our unique human ability to create, rejoice, grieve, explore, understand, and love.
It is an easy thing to bring before God the prayer of discontentment when in pain, annoyance in injustice, and bewilderment in confusion. But it is a joy to our Maker when we enjoy Him as we gratefully sing in the suffering, rejoice in His revelations, and cherish our place as children made in His image.
But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ - Job 35:10-11
The prayer borne out of discontentment, annoyance, and exasperation will not be answered. It is a prideful prayer that simultaneously dismisses the good that has been given and purports that better is deserved. Although spiritual in appearance, it is a prayer devoid of a desire to gain the Giver and not just the gift.
This prayer is of no delight to God.
There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it.” - Job 35:12-13
But there is an acceptable prayer.
It is the prayer that acknowledges that we have no power to twist the arm of the Almighty. It is the prayer that admits that we haven't begun to understand the horror of what we actually deserve nor the fantastic goodness already bestowed upon us. It is the prayer that is satisfied with an experience of God even if the request remains unanswered. It is the prayer that confesses our low estate before God lest He lifts us up.
“Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘ Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”” Job 42:1-6