"What Is Thy Bidding, My Master?"

As we learn and grow in our faith there comes a time when we are required to make some rather difficult decisions. In order to make those decisions we often have to extricate ourselves from the entire decision making process and really focus on what is right . . . in God's eyes.

I have made a few of those decisions in my life. Perhaps you have too. Experience tells us that, when we make the wrong decision, we end up going over and over things in our mind - not only doubting our decision but doubting ourselves in the process. When we make God-honoring decisions however, decisions that are right in God's eyes, the doubt seems to be absent more times than not. There is no second guessing our thought process when we have excluded ourselves from it and deferred to the will of God.

"This is what God would have us do," we say. And that is how all of our decisions should be made. The only problem is, we seldom say that. We seldom think that. We seldom even bring God into the conversation, let alone the decision making process. And that . . . is where . . . we fail.

If I might borrow a line from another repentant sinner, Darth Vader, we should be more like him in our prayers, asking God, "What is thy bidding , my master?" Oh, if we were only to ask that question more often than we do.

What Is Thy Bidding, My Master? - Darth Vader

Too often our prayers sound like someone who is reading a honey-do list rather than a humble servant begging for consideration from Almighty God. I am guilty of this very thing. Feeling pressed for time I often offer up requests in rapid fire succession. No more. I need to take the time I need . . . no, I need to take the time GOD needs, to hear an appropriate prayer. Not a fast-food, instantaneous one.

One of my favorite prayers, an example of what I should be praying, can be found in the movie Bruce Almighty. As you listen to it, notice the sincerity of heart and the reply God gave to the kind of prayer He seeks from each of us.

Now That's A Prayer - Bruce Almighty

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out." - Deuteronomy 28:1-6

The promises of our God to His people, Israel.