PRAYER!

Praying for you! I will put you on my prayer list! Praying! Ernest Lee hears people respond with those comments on social media when someone experiences the loss of a family member, sickness, or some other trial or tribulation in their life. It’s a good response, but how many of those who claim they are going to pray actually do? The truth is few follow up and bring it to the throne of grace. They say “prayng for you,” like they say “have a nice day,” with about as much conviction. Most who tell you they will pray wouldn’t know how to pray. Ernest Lee would never discourage someone who prays from telling someone they will pray for them. But for those who don’t pray, please refrain from co-oping the phrase. Tell people, “I’m thinking about you,” but don’t tell them you will pray if you don’t pray.

So why do believers pray if God is sovereign and knows our needs before we ask? It’s a question that has been asked for ages. Back when Ernest Lee was in seminary, one of the students boldly told the professor praying was a waste of time. His argument was that if God knew our needs before we ask (which is true), then why engage in it? Ernest Lee kept his mouth shut because the prof had a reputation of not being kind to idiots, but the question is not a new one. Ernest Lee’s buddy John Piper has a great answer to why believers are to pray: Heres the link to read it: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/if-god-is-sovereign-are-my-prayers-pointless

Ernest Lee’s late friend R.C. Sproul addressed this seeming contradiction: This 23 minute video is worth the watch:

What triggered Ernest Lee to write about prayer was that President Trump said he and the first lady are praying for those people in Texas affected by the flood. But Trump doesn’t strike me as a praying man. Perhaps he is, but his personality, demeanor, and mannerisms don’t project one who humbles himself before His Creator everyday in effectual, feverent prayer. Just an observation. But Trump told hurting people he was praying for them. Ernest Lee hopes that is true- those folks certainly need prayer.

Fact is-“Praying for you,” is overused. It has become a platitude, a cliche to believers and unbelievers alike. It’s superficial usage is spoken out of habit and not out of true heartfelt expression.