PRAYER Rx --- November 17
Dear Lord Jesus, You expressed Your feelings about man's natural tendencies in Your teachings to Your disciples, and for us, known as the Beatitudes. As we read these over we need to look at how our world tends to interpret them. ... You gave Your minister, J. B. Phillips special insight. He believes that You saw "self-love" as man's arch-enemy -- self-esteem turned inward and carried to excess -- preoccupied with "what's in it for me!" He believes that most people are living by their own "beatitudes" today, such as:
(1) "Happy are the pushers: for they get on in the world.
(2) "Happy are the hard-boiled: for they never let life hurt them.
(3) "Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end.
(4) "Happy are the blase: for they never worry over their sins.
(5) "Happy are the slave-drivers: for they get results.
(6) "Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around.
(7) "Happy are the trouble-makers: for people have to take notice of them."*
Help me, Lord, to seriously consider these seven erroneous beliefs. Is this the accepted trend in today's society? Is this the way I am living my life? Open my eyes to see me as You must see me.
In Your holy name I pray.
Amen.
* (From "YOUR GOD IS TOO SMALL," by J. B. Phillips)